Young Goodman Brown

First published in 1835, ‘Young Goodman Brown’ is a short story by the renowned American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Set in 17th century Salem, young Goodman Brown tells his new wife Faith that he must go on a journey, and sets out alone into the woods. There he comes across a mysterious man who isn’t all that he seems. As Goodman Brown journeys further into the woods, he witnesses things that will shake the very core of his faith and belief. A tense, symbolic story by the author of ‘The Scarlet Letter’.



Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was an American novelist and short-story writer. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Hawthorne began his writing career in 1828 with the publication of his first novel, ‘Fanshawe’, followed by a collection of short stories. In 1850 he published perhaps his most famous work, ‘The Scarlet Letter’, which has since been adapted multiple times for stage and screen. Many of his novels explore lessons in morality, and centre around the themes of sin and evil. Some of his other best-known works include the novels ‘The House of the Seven Gables’ and ‘The Marble Faun’, and short stories ‘Wakefield’ and ‘Feathertop’. Hawthorne died in 1864 at the age of 59.