Puritanism is a popular religious movement in England during the periods 16th and 17th century. It subsists to the belief that public worship must be made in reference to valid claims on the scriptures, and argued that the assignment of clerical and high religious positions in the Catholic Church is not decreed by the Scriptures. Puritanism has been divided into various sects, which includes the Separatists, Quakers, and Nonconformists, all of which are historically claimed to deviate to the original philosophy of Puritanism in that some of these sects are extreme practitioners of Scripture-based religion (like the Separatists).

             Puritanism is portrayed among literary works during the 17th and 18th centuries to be rigid, intolerable of social change and deviation, and extremely moralistic, and these characteristics of Puritanism stemmed from the Separatists who have introduced Puritanism in America (the New World). Puritanism, as a religion, advocates strict adherence to the moral codes taught by Christianity, particularly the virtue of self-discipline and eternal aspiration to be absolved of humanity's inherent sinfulness. .

             In Morgan's Puritanist Dilemma, Puritans in early American history provided opportunity for the early British inhabitants to establish a 'purely religious' society. This inherent character of Puritanism created both supporters and critics from various members of the early American society. Apparently, while the Puritans perceived their beliefs and methods to be justly adherent to the principles of the religion, there were also members of the society also felt as strict rigidity to the point of repressing one's self, including the individual's desires in life. .

             It is in this context that Nathaniel Hawthorne created the short story, "Young Goodman Brown." The story revolves around Brown's decision to go forth a 'journey' one night where he expressed his fears of losing his wife, Faith, and his belief in his religion and faith.