hawthorne
Hawthorne’s Reoccurring Themes
Nathaniel Hawthorne, considered by many to be one of the great American writers, is known for his unique style of writing. His darkened tales of moral folly captures the destruction caused by immorality. Examples of this can be seen in “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Birthmark”. “The Minister’s Black Veil” is a story about a clergyman that one day arrives at church wearing a black veil. From this day forward, he is never seen without the veil, and offers no explanation as to why he began wearing it. “The Birthmark”, is a story about scientist that is secretly obsessed with a small birthmark on his wife Georgiana’s cheek. Each time he sees the birthmark, it goes more and more grotesque in his eyes as it is a constant reminder of his wife’s imperfection. In “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Birthmark”, Nathaniel Hawthorn uses pride, cold intellectuality, and isolation as reoccurring moral warnings. “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Birthmark” are both examples of the destruction that can occur as the result of pride. In “The Minister’s Black Veil” Parson Hooper began wearing the veil one day and refused to share the reason. Even at the request of his wife-to –be he refused by saying “Never! It cannot be” (340). The sudden appearance of the veil received a wide range of responses, as “some gathered in little circles, huddled closely together, with their mouths all whispering in the center; some went homeward alone, wrapt in silent mediation; some talked loudly, and profaned the Sabbath-day with ostentatious laughter” (336). However “Among all its bad influences, the black veil had the one desirable effect, of making its wearer a very efficient clergyman” (340). As “Dying sinners cried aloud for Mr. Hooper, and would not yield their breath till he appeared” (341). This false outcome and the mystery surrounding the veil had given Mr. Hooper power over his congregation. They feared him, but at the same time,
Nathaniel Hawthorne, considered by many to be one of the great American writers, is known for his unique style of writing. His darkened tales of moral folly captures the destruction caused by immorality. Examples of this can be seen in “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Birthmark”. “The Minister’s Black Veil” is a story about a clergyman that one day arrives at church wearing a black veil. From this day forward, he is never seen without the veil, and offers no explanation as to why he began wearing it. “The Birthmark”, is a story about scientist that is secretly obsessed with a small birthmark on his wife Georgiana’s cheek. Each time he sees the birthmark, it goes more and more grotesque in his eyes as it is a constant reminder of his wife’s imperfection. In “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Birthmark”, Nathaniel Hawthorn uses pride, cold intellectuality, and isolation as reoccurring moral warnings. “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Birthmark” are both examples of the destruction that can occur as the result of pride. In “The Minister’s Black Veil” Parson Hooper began wearing the veil one day and refused to share the reason. Even at the request of his wife-to –be he refused by saying “Never! It cannot be” (340). The sudden appearance of the veil received a wide range of responses, as “some gathered in little circles, huddled closely together, with their mouths all whispering in the center; some went homeward alone, wrapt in silent mediation; some talked loudly, and profaned the Sabbath-day with ostentatious laughter” (336). However “Among all its bad influences, the black veil had the one desirable effect, of making its wearer a very efficient clergyman” (340). As “Dying sinners cried aloud for Mr. Hooper, and would not yield their breath till he appeared” (341). This false outcome and the mystery surrounding the veil had given Mr. Hooper power over his congregation. They feared him, but at the same time,
Cited: Meyer, M. (2009). The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin 's.