"The Good Young Man Brown" and "The Minister's Black Veil" are two short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne that explore the importance of Puritan beliefs in early American cities. Despite religious influence, sin and depravity pervade even the most respected members of communities. Both main characters struggle with the awareness of the human propensity to hide one's sins, but while Young Goodman Brown focuses on the flaws of others, Father Hooper is concerned with strengthening the faith of his parishioners. However, both men appear to cling to their faith in God, lead a life of isolation after their realization, and ultimately die. Young Goodman Brown becomes aware of the human tendency to sin during a dream or hallucination. At the beginning of his dream, Brown bids farewell to his wife Faith and crosses a narrow path deep into the forest (Hawthorne 1289). The fading sunlight in the night and the darkness of the wilderness suggest that Brown is headed for evil. Paul Hurley writes that this is symbolic of his retreat into his own subconscious (413). From the beginning, Brown knows he has an evil task that will disappoint his wife Faith. However, he rationalizes his actions by promising himself that he will later "cling to her skirts and follow her to heaven" (Hawthorne 1289). This statement indicates a reliance on ritualistic and ceremonial religious practices rather than one's salvation and purity (Hurley 416). During his dream, Brown also hears from Goody Cloyse, Deacon Gookin, the minister, and his wife. He eventually arrives at a fellowship of devil worshippers, where he thinks he recognizes the entire town. After a call for the converted to come forward, Brown joins the others, becoming the "horror chief of... middle of the paper..." Quoted Cochran, Robert. "Hawthorne's Choice: The Veil or the Jaundiced Eye." " College English. 23.5 (1962): 342-46. Web. 29 April 2012. .Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Minister's Black Veil.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 7th ed. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2007. Print.Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “Young Goodman Brown.” The Norton Anthology 7th ed., 2007. 1289-98.Hurley, Paul. .Voigt, Gilbert. Meaning of the "Minister's Black Veil." College English 13.6: 337-38. 2012. .