Puritanism vs. Sexual Desire

by Kelsey McBain

In class we read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown.” During our discussion, we talked about symbolism and allegory.  Dr Shaup presented to us the idea that some critics view this short story as a representation of Young Goodman Brown coming into his sexuality in a Puritan society where these desires are expected to be suppressed.  This view of the short story got me to think about the role sexual desire played during the Puritan Era in writing and art.  Nathaniel Hawthorne was a prominent writer during and I think his work is an example of an internal and moral battle many young people were feeling. 

            Children are naturally experimental and courageous.  They have wide imaginations and in exploring their environment they are able to learn and grow.  In the Puritan society this was not the case.  Puritans believed that the original sin was in childhood.  “Sin gains ground as ‘The objects of lust by occasions of life are multiplied’ although the conscious is awakened by god” (Watkins 56).  This already begins to show that any desire that one may have must be concealed as life is only to be lived in order to serve god.  Children prayed and sang psalms instead of playing outside; it was expected “that they thought upon God at every breath they drew” (Watkins 55).   Early in life people are expected to suppress and hide their desires and wishes. This creates a struggle in adult life trying to fill the gaps that they were not able to achieve in childhood.  

            When it came to adulthood, desire was still to be suppressed and kept hidden.  It was said that “Good Puritans controlled their affections even in love letters” (Morgan 50). In the Puritan society as adults, love and affection was seen as a job or business, and although it was unacceptable to express desire, many did not feel deprived because they could not love enough to feel the need to direct it immediately to the person.  Hawthorne writes of the feelings that one would have toward desiring the one that they love and he expresses the feelings that many are expected to keep hidden.  According to The Puritan Family Experience, “Ministers hastened to warn husbands and wives that their love for each other required moderation” (Morgan 48).  Even when being married a couple must follow strict guidelines of the Puritan way and restrict their feelings toward each other.  This creates a great struggle in the society for all people.  I think that in Hawthorne’s writing he questions these ideas and morals of the Puritan way.
            I think that when we read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work we should take the approach that some of these critics have rather than just finding the simple meaning of the symbols created.  Knowing that much of his writings share a similar theme of Puritanism vs. Desire we should use the knowledge that we have on basic Puritan ideology and convey those thoughts into our comprehension of the text.  Before reading any text it is important to look into the background of the work to fully grasp what the author is trying to suggest through their writing. 

            Do you agree that religion vs. desire was a common issue during the Puritan times?  Do you think that Nathaniel Hawthorne attempted to demonstrate this struggle in his writing? 

Graham, Judith S. Puritan Family Life. Northeastern UP, 2000. Print.

Morgan, Edmund S. The Puritan Family. New York: Harper & Row, 1966. Print.

Watkins, Owen C. The Puritan Experience,. New York: Shochocken, 1972. Print.

Ziff, Larzer. Puritanism in American. New York: Viking, 1973. Print