Hawthorne, Nathaniel: 1804-1864

Young Goodman Brown, 1835 - Thematic Parallels: Loss of Innocence

Hawthorne, Nathaniel: Young Goodman Brown, 1835
The short story is about the loss of innocence and the corrosive effects of disillusionment, set against themes of faith, temptation, and the hidden sinfulness of humanity.
The following books are thematically similar. They lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Bierce, Ambrose: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, 1890, ~10pp
  This work deals with a blurred line between reality and illusion, much like the uncertain reality in Hawthorne’s narrative.
  - Both stories blur the line between reality and fantasy, forcing the reader to question what actually happened. They question whether people’s beliefs about themselves or others are grounded in truth.
- Joyce, James: Dubliners, 1914, ~160pp
  This collection of short stories reveals human weaknesses, disillusionment, and moral complexity in society, echoing Hawthorne’s themes.
  - Both works resist giving the reader full closure, highlighting the ambiguity of human perception and moral truth. They show how institutions of faith can mask corruption and undermine genuine morality.
- Miller, Arthur: The Crucible, 1953, ~120pp
  This play explores themes of Puritan New England, moral panic, and the dynamics of sin and guilt within a society, much like “Young Goodman Brown.""
  - In both works, Puritanism is shown as a double-edged sword—aiming for spiritual purity but breeding suspicion, repression, and hypocrisy. Fear drives much of the action—fear of the devil, fear of social disgrace, fear of eternal damnation.
- Rhue, Morton: The Wave, 1981, ~140pp
  The topic centers on how easily ordinary people can be influenced by authoritarianism and group pressure, even in democratic societies.
  - In both works, the protagonist confronts the realization that the people they trusted can be morally compromised. They show how humans crave belonging, even if it means compromising morals. Evil isn’t just an external force; it’s a potential within ordinary people.
List of general discussion questions on Loss of Innocence (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Loss of Innocence (pdf)