Customer Reviews

Minister's Black Veil

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This short story is a typical Nathaniel Hawthorne, examing how humans violated the intergity and moral being of others. The script explores a minister (Mr. Hooper) who wears a "black veil". No explicit reason is given why expects that he attempts to show that he is still human and deserve no less treatment. Mr. Hooper's experience a terrible retribution because of his choice(tpyical Hawthorne) yet he endures to gain the respect of the towns people. Excellent shory of personal courage, and moral endurance.

More than just a dry allegory, "The Minister's Black Veil" is an emotional and expressive story which taps into the sensitive area of human hypocrisy. Hawthorne introduces the reader to a bleak, Puritan community-the setting of a number of his works. He introduces us to a mysterious minister whose face is shrouded with a black veil. The reaction of the congregation is not surprising even when not taken into context with the setting. The most striking aspect of the first two pages is the contrasting of shades between the minister and the congregation. Although the minister was labeled by the congregation as "black" with demonic connotations, the congregation is described as "pale-faced." This has both literal and figurative significance, for after the sermon, the parishioners gossip and create a feeling of empathy for the Reverend. This scene also illustrates the hypocrisy of the people who condemn the minister for his sins. Seen as a shroud at first, Hawthorne subtly and progressively, through use of dialogue and imagery, expresses the veil is not a shroud, but rather a symbol used to illustrate the paradoxical nature of humans. The Black Veil, in Hawthorne's terms, does not shroud, but rather exposes what is inside every person. Through symbolism, we see Hawthorne's Calvinistic appeal come through. The fear and retraction from the veil extends to the Minister's wife, creating a sense of verbal and situational irony. In fact, the only person that does not recoil at the sight of the veil is an old, white-haired grandsire, creating more irony. Any reader can sympathize the rejection that the minister faces. But, the most powerful words of the allegory are in the Minister's departing words which expose the hypocrisy of every person who condemned him for his veil. Hawthorne ends the story with some closure; however, the ending is not happy, but is highly effective and leaves an imprint in the reader's conscience that cannot be easily forgotten.

Do not be mislead by the title of the book. Nathaniel Hawthorne does it again. This book does reveal great insights through its theme. The reverend assumes the black veil before the day's church meeting. In both events, high supernatural events occur, and the veil's true nature begins to become unraveled. The protagonist conceals his secret sin. By concealing his "secret sin," Mr. Hooper essentially helps other Puritans to realize everyone has a "secret sin."
I would recommend this book, because I was fooled in the beginning to what the story was about. Read it, it will surprise you.