During the 17th Century witchcraft was a common fear in the daily lives of the Puritan people. The Puritan people focused their faith on The New Testament, meaning anything not said to be done by God was immoral and the work of the devil/witchcraft. In the eyes of the Puritans, the Bible “provided a plan for living.” (Source #2) This meant that any actions that did not strictly follow the word of God in the Bible was taken as an offense against the religion and God. The Puritans believed that your “actions spoke louder than words, so actions had to be constantly controlled.” (Source #2) In the Puritan faith attending church was mandatory,
“It was against the law not to attend church.” (Source #3) Their religious beliefs were intolerant and …show more content…
This story displayed his inner struggle with good and evil. During his journey Goodman lost faith in God when those that he had the most faith in were questioned. The devil presented himself through witchcraft and began to cast doubt in the heart of the young Goodman. This witchcraft is first presented in the story when the unknown gentleman joins Goodman on his walk in the woods. The devil presented first presented himself as a figure that resembled Goodman’s father. In the story Hawthorne states, “they might have been taken for father and son.” (Hawthorne, 20) As the journey continued the devil caused Goodman to question his faith more and more through the people that were most important in Goodman’s life and religious beliefs. The Goody Cloyse played a major role in building a foundation for the young Goodman’s religious beliefs. She “taught him his catechism in youth, and was still his moral and spiritual advisor.” (Hawthorne, 21) By showing Goodman that she too was on the same wicked journey, the devil cast even more doubt on his faith and beliefs. He continued to do this throughout the journey through casting light on the relationship he (the devil) also had with Goodman’s father, grandfather, Deacon Gookin, and the minister. The deciding turn in Goodman’s fight between good and evil came when the devil used his beloved wife Faith to sway him to take the path of evil and witchcraft. When
“It was against the law not to attend church.” (Source #3) Their religious beliefs were intolerant and …show more content…
This story displayed his inner struggle with good and evil. During his journey Goodman lost faith in God when those that he had the most faith in were questioned. The devil presented himself through witchcraft and began to cast doubt in the heart of the young Goodman. This witchcraft is first presented in the story when the unknown gentleman joins Goodman on his walk in the woods. The devil presented first presented himself as a figure that resembled Goodman’s father. In the story Hawthorne states, “they might have been taken for father and son.” (Hawthorne, 20) As the journey continued the devil caused Goodman to question his faith more and more through the people that were most important in Goodman’s life and religious beliefs. The Goody Cloyse played a major role in building a foundation for the young Goodman’s religious beliefs. She “taught him his catechism in youth, and was still his moral and spiritual advisor.” (Hawthorne, 21) By showing Goodman that she too was on the same wicked journey, the devil cast even more doubt on his faith and beliefs. He continued to do this throughout the journey through casting light on the relationship he (the devil) also had with Goodman’s father, grandfather, Deacon Gookin, and the minister. The deciding turn in Goodman’s fight between good and evil came when the devil used his beloved wife Faith to sway him to take the path of evil and witchcraft. When