The Minister’s Black Veil

“The Minister’s Black Veil”

“The Minister’s Black Veil” is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne about a pastor by the name of Mr. Hooper who one day begins to wear a black veil over his face. The townspeople are disturbed and do not understand the reason for the black veil. Mr. Hooper never reveals his face after wearing this veil. He even keeps it on when his partner, Elizabeth said she would leave him if he does not take it off. This black veil may symbolizes two things. First, it may symbolize a sin Mr. Hooper is trying to cover up. Second, the black veil may symbolize how society is quick to judge others.

Mr. Hooper’s black veil may symbolize a “secret sin” that no one in town knows about. He feels that he cannot show his face because he is a pastor and this would be a scandal if anyone were to find out that he has sinned. The black veil represents his mourning and allows him to have his privacy. The townspeople cannot see his reactions to anything he does. Everyone in town is disturbed by the black veil but do not have the courage ask him about it. A lady in town said, “How strange that a simple black veil, such as any woman might wear on her bonnet, should become such a terrible thing on Mr. Hooper’s face!” All they do is gossip amongst themselves about how horrifying this veil is on Mr. Hooper. I think the author chose a black veil to show that he is paying his dues and is ready to die from the sins he may have committed. Once he dies, there will be no more veil. He is relieved from his sins and there will be no more mourning. He reveals that the reason for hiding behind the black veil is his sorrow that he carries around. This black veil is strong enough to cover his sorrow from others. In the end of the short story, there is a little explanation talking about an incident that happened in New England where a man accidentally killed his friend and hid his face from everyone. This