"Young Goodman Brown" is an 1835 short story by Nathaniel Hawathorne set in 17th century New England. The story critiques elements of Puritanism's cynicism and belief in predestination. Goodman Brown leaves his wife Faith to journey through the woods. There he meets a mysterious man who eventually leads him to a witches' sabbath where he and Faith are to be initiated. He pleas to God and is freed. Though he is unsure whether the experience was a dream, he is forever cynical and disillusioned.
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