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There are many ways to examine “Young Goodman Brown,” but the history of the author and the setting of the story play important roles in its interpretation. Unlike many other fictional works, “Young Goodman Brown” has a direct relation to historical people and major events. For instance, some critics assume the story to have taken place around 1691 due the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier, both of whom were tried and convicted of witchcraft the following year during the Salem Witch Trials . Many critics use “Young Goodman Brown’s” historical context to show why Hawthorne chooses to make Young Goodman Brown’s journey appear as a possible dream. Unlike many other fictional works, “Young Goodman Brown” makes a direct relation between historical people and events. For ins