Nathaniel Hawthorne

Jozi Lucha

10/06/09

The Minister's Black Veil

"'Elizabeth, I will,' said he. 'so far as my vow may suffer me. Know, then, this veil is a type and a symbol, and I am bound to wear it ever, both in light and darkness, in solitude and before the gaze of multitudes, and as with strangers, so with familiar friends. No mortal eye will see it withdrawn. this dismal shade must separate me from the world: even you, Elizabeth, can never come behind it!'"(Hawthorne).

Mr. Hooper were the veil as a symbol of sins. He was ashamed of something that he did and made the choice to punish himself. He also brought up to everyone's attention that we all have a black veil on, it's just invisible, we choose to not show it, and by doing so, we hide and ignore our own sins. He never said what he had done, he never named any names and with his veil, he cause the townspeople to think, be afraid, judge and he also brought a darkness with him, which represents sin. He first were the veil on the funeral of the young lady. He put a wall between him and his fiance and caused her to break of their engagement.

"Edgar Allan Poe speculated that Minister Hooper may have had an affair with the young lady who died at the beginning of the story, as this the first day he wears the veil, "and that a crime of dark dye, (having reference to the young lady) has been committed, is a point which only minds congenial with that of the author will perceive"(Wikipedia). I believe that as a minister and an engaged bachelor, Mr. Hooper commits adultery. To him, and in those times, this a terrible sin. He can't face the people and he can't talk about it either, so he punishes himself, but he knows that in his sin, he is not alone.