| The Minister's Black Veil |
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The story is set in an assumedly Puritan community in the Seventeenth Century . The story details events surrounding one Reverend Hooper, after he suddenly and mysteriously begins wearing a veil of black crepe over his face, covering his eyes and nose. (Hawthorne adds in a footnote detailing an incident similar to this story, of how a minister in Puritan New England assumes a black veil after accidentally killing a childhood friend.) The reverend assumes the black veil before the day's church meeting. After, he proceeds to officiate at a funeral and then a wedding. In both events, nigh supernatural events occur, and the veil's true nature begins to become unravelled. In a later conversation with his fiancée, Elizabeth, Mr. Hooper goes about explaining the reason for the veil, and its symbolism. Based upon Hawthorne's strongest beliefs (the dangers of isolation and the "inherent evil" nature of mankind) it is relatively safe to assume that the message of the story is that of how one can never come to grips with one's truly evil nature. Mr. Hooper's dying words, in which he condemns others as dishonest with themselves, also affirm this theme. The protagonist conceals his secret sin, which parallels to "Young Goodman Brown". By concealing his "secret sin," Mr. Hooper essentially helps other Puritans to realize everyone has a "secret sin." Some display their sins, others hide them with confidence. EXTERNAL LINKS |