A Comparative Analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown and The Scarlet Letter from a Feminist Social Work Perspective

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18202578

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown and The Scarlet Letter through the lens of feminist social work. Focusing on the themes of social norms, hypocrisy, and Puritanism, the research reveals how conservative moral systems marginalize women and perpetuate systemic inequality. The analysis juxtaposes Goodman Brown’s disillusionment with societal virtue against Hester Prynne’s resilience in the face of public ostracism, highlighting the gendered double standards of Puritan society. By applying feminist social work principles—specifically the empowerment approach—the study bridges 19th-century literary critique with modern discussions on oppression and gender justice. Ultimately, it argues that Hawthorne’s narratives offer a vital historical framework for understanding the mechanisms of exclusion that feminist social work seeks to dismantle.