Final answer:
Hawthorne was never able to separate himself from the guilt of ancestral sin and evil, as reflected in his works, such as "Young Goodman Brown".
Step-by-step explanation:
Hawthorne was never able to separate himself from the guilt of ancestral sin and evil, which is a recurring theme in his works. In his stories, such as "Young Goodman Brown", the characters are often tainted by the sins of their ancestors, and they struggle to escape the consequences of that guilt.
For example, in "Young Goodman Brown", the protagonist discovers that his ancestors were involved in witchcraft and devil worship, and this revelation deeply affects him. He becomes obsessed with the idea of inherited evil and is haunted by the guilt associated with it.
Hawthorne's exploration of guilt and sin reflects his Puritan heritage and the belief in the concept of original sin. Through his works, he examines the moral and psychological effects of guilt and the struggle for redemption.