Puritanism dominated the history and literature of the 17th century. Nathaniel Hawthorne, born in 1804, was an American writer who sought to resolve his conflicts with Puritanism through his writings. Hawthorne wrote several stories showing the world the horrors of the Puritan faith and the isolation of individuals who failed to defend their faith. For Hawthorne, young Goodman Brown exemplifies the difference between Puritan teaching and practice and reflects his own guilt over his ancestors' mistreatment of men. Young Goodman Brown's protagonist's struggles with Puritanism are a reflection of Hawthorne's personal conflicts with Puritanism. Hawthorne uses the story of young Goodman Brown to illustrate Puritanism's disconnect between their adopted beliefs and the application of their beliefs to their daily lives. Additionally, Hawthorne uses the events of his life in the story to help the reader understand the horrors inflicted on individuals considered sinners by the community. Goodman Brown's father and grandfather reflect the events of Hawthorne's ancestors. Using his personal experiences, Hawthorne allows the reader to glimpse his own guilt and guilt over the actions of his ancestors through Goodman Brown. Early on, Hawthorne lets the reader know the importance of this family connection by stating: "the second traveler was about fifty years old, apparently of the same rank as Goodman Brown, and bearing a considerable resemblance, perhaps more in the expression that Yet they might have been taken for father and son” (Hawthorne 387). Ronan compares the "biographical details [in] the account about Brown's family indicating that he is a Hawthorne...Hawthorne's great-great-great-grandfather, Major Will......to middle of paper......a Brown". The Norton Anthology American Literature 8th ed. Vol. B. New York: WW Norton & Company, Inc, 2012. 386-395. Print. Jamil, S. Selina. "Carnivalesque Freedom in Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown." 2009): 464-491. MUSE Project Internet. April 15, 2014. “Hawthorne and Puritanism.” Shadows and Illuminations: Spiritual Journeys to the Dark Side in "Young Goodman Brown" and Eyes Wide Shut." Religion and the Arts 10.2 (2006): 244-270. Academic Research Completed. Internet. April 21, 2014. Ronan, John. “Young Goodman Brown” And The Mathers. " New England Quarterly 85.2 (2012): 253-280. Academic research completed. Web. April 21. 2014.