answersLogoWhite

0

They feared the woods mostly because they were unknown and they thought the devil inhabited them. Puritans basically feared anything they didn't completely understand. If you have ever read the short story Young Goodman Brown, Nathaniel Hawthorne describes the woods as place where "There may be a devilish Indian behind every tree," and "The devil himself might be at my very elbow!". Though we find the idea of devils and Indians waiting in the woods for an unlucky traveler to blunder out of his village comical, this scenario was very real to them. Puritans really are fascinating, it's amazing to me that they were able to live their life in such a strict, humble, hardworking way. I could never do it!

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?