What Do I Read Next?
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's ‘‘Young Goodman Brown’’ (1835), the protagonist witnesses what seems to be a witches' gathering, where he spots several prominent figures from his hometown. Although his experience is more illusion than reality, it leaves Young Goodman Brown deeply suspicious of the townspeople, perceiving them as evil—a perception that might actually reflect his own guilt projected onto others.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850) tells the story of Hester Prynne, set against a backdrop of Puritan hypocrisy and repression. Accused of adultery, Hester is forced to wear the letter "A" on her chest as a mark of her sin. She refuses to disclose the identity of her lover, the preacher Arthur Dimmesdale, who only confesses his involvement with her just before his death, thus escaping social punishment.
Perry Miller's The New England Mind: From Colony to Province (1953) offers a comprehensive study of the Puritans during colonial and early American periods. Miller debunks many myths about Puritan society, particularly those fueled by the memory of the Salem witch trials and perpetuated by authors like Hawthorne.
In The Antinomian Controversy 1636-1638: A Documentary History (1968), David D. Hall chronicles the experiences of Anne Hutchinson. Hutchinson challenged the orthodoxy of her Boston congregation, criticizing New England preachers for their mechanical approach to preaching. She advocated for personal interpretation of Scripture based on individual inspiration. This viewpoint was intolerable to New England ministers, leading to her banishment to Rhode Island. Hall includes the records of her courtroom examination.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.