Nathanial Hawthorne beset by his ancestral ties to the Salem witch trials and his hatred of a Puritan society, lead him to create an allegory of the search for a young man and his struggle between good and bad good. Hawthorne wrote figuratively about Puritan ideals, beliefs, and social aspect in Young Goodman Brown. Furthermore, the tale focuses on the history of New England, inspired mainly by Puritan beliefs. Nathanial Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in the summer of 1804 to a family with a rich history in New England. After his father's death in 1808, he spent his adolescence in Maine on his uncle's farm and was raised by his mother. At the age of seventeen, Hawthorne's uncle insisted that he attend college. Hawthorne was not enthusiastic about the idea, but eventually relented and attended Bowdoin College, located in Maine from 1821 to 1824 and was considered an average student. Hawthorne was an avid reader and began writing short stories and novels during his time in college. He published Young Goodman Brown in 1835. Burdened by guilt, Nathanial Hawthorne emphasized in the story his bitterness toward his family's involvement in the Salem witch trials, using the names of two persecuted women. John Hathorne, his great-great-great grandfather, was a notorious judge, known for his harsh sentences. He oversaw the conviction of several women in the Salem witch trials from 1692 to 1693. John Hathorne had a strong connection to Puritanism which inspired the short story Young Goodman Brown. It is suggested that Nathanial Hawthorne's revulsion at his ancestral background convinced him to change the spelling of his surname to hide his connection. In the allegory, young Goodman Brown began his twilight journey in... the middle of the card. ....stress. It is a lifestyle that has serious social and even personal consequences. This allegory is a powerful image of man's relentless battle between good and evil. Humanity's personal and social arguments through different relationships can lead to good and/or bad consequences. There are many symbols in Young Goodman Brown that exemplify Puritan ideology related to modern times, such as the faith, the staff, and the forest. Furthermore, Nathanial Hawthorne's ancestral connection to the Salem witch trials is a prime example of how a man can be tainted by social influences. However, it is up to each person to choose their own path, guided by their own perception of faith, regardless of religion. “Depending on the other's heart, you still had hoped that virtue was not all a dream. Now you are no longer deceived. Evil is the nature of humanity. (page. 325-337)”