Nathaniel Hawthorne typically used common themes in his short stories; the exploration of evil and sin, the idea of self-alienation, humanities internal struggles, and an effective use of allegory to create deeper meaning in his text.
Hawthorne commonly wrote stories that explored the evil and sin in man and the short stories, "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Ministers Black Veil," provide excellent examples of this. In "Young Goodman Brown," Brown goes into the forest and meets a man that looks like himself. The man is holding a staff which "bore the likeness of a great black snake." The man's staff, being described in the likeness of a serpent, is meant to portray him as the Satan. Hawthorne, making this devil-like character in the likeness of Brown, is meant to reveal Brown's evil side. This man leads Brown to a group of people worshiping evil. .
Brown observes his wife Faith, who was described earlier "a blessed angel on earth," worshipping evil with the rest of the group. This leads to the quote, "There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given." By having the angelic Faith worshipping the devil, Hawthorne builds his theme that evil exists inside of every person, regardless of where they stand religiously or morally. Another example Hawthorne's examination of sin and evil in mankind is in "The Ministers Black Veil." The veil in this story symbolizes sin. It is evident in this quote that Father Hooper said, "I look around me, and lo! On every visage a Black Veil!" This quote reveals Father Hooper sees the sins on the faces of everyone he sees. This reveals Hawthorne's belief that all people are prone to evil and have committed sin. Hawthorne's short stories expose his recurring use of man's struggle with sin and evil. .
Another one of Hawthorne's commonality is the internal struggle of the characters.
