Symbolism In The Minister's Black Veil

Sin is in the world. Whether it’s visible or not, it is always there. in “The Minister’s Black Veil,” many sources state that Rev. Hooper’s veil symbolizes sin. There are many critiques based on this though there is never truly a real answer; Hooper never tells, because he carries it to his death bed with him. He becomes known as a bizarre, secretive, and quite a mysterious man. The veil helped to alienate him from all of society, which drew the public to believe he was crazy. In “The Minister’s Black Veil,” Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the black veil and the society (as well as the actions of both), to depict Rev. Hooper as a possibly crazy, alienated man. Throughout the story, Hooper’s character, role, importance, his effect on the society,
It is widely known, though, that it was not for the best. No one exactly knows why Hooper wore his veil, yet there are many ideas of what it could be. “There is an hour to come… when all of us shall cast aside our veils. Take not amiss, beloved friend, if I wear this piece of crape till then...so far as my vow may suffer me. Know, then, that 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 my familiar friends. No mortal eye will see it withdrawn. This dismal shame must separate me from the world: even you, Elizabeth, can never come behind it!” (Hawthorne, par. 19-20). Hooper is asked the question of the purpose of the veil many ties, but never gives a direct answer. Even to his Fiance, he refuses to give her an accurate reason for the veil. So why was Hooper wearing the veil? why can’t he tell anyone? why won’t he take it off? Hooper is asked a number of times to “Remove the veil” and “Why do you wear that veil?.” However, every time he is faced with these questions, he simply says something along the lines of, “You will see.” One man, Timothy Montbriand says, “One last question remains to be answered: Why does Hooper wear the veil into his grave and to his final judgement? If the veil were meant to represent a specific crime, original sin, or excessive pride, these
They were upset, scared, and confused. Before Hooper began to wear the veil, his people thought of him as a great Reverend, and a reasonable man. However after the veil, they thought he was crazy, and said he had no reasoning. Rev. Hooper changed so suddenly on his congregation that they reacted quite negatively. They did not like it, as he had changed a lot. “Are you sure it is our parson?”... “Of a certainty it is good Mr. Hooper”… “I can’t really feel as if good Mr. Hooper’s face was behind that piece of crape”… “I don’t like it”... “He has changed himself into something awful, only by hiding his face.” “Our parson has gone mad!”... Mr. Hooper had the reputation of a good preacher.” (Hawthorne, par. 1-8) Society was unhappy, this is clear. They were not used to change, and did not want it either. He was made out to have used to have been a wonderful Reverend, who turned into a crazy, alienated man. Hooper and his congregation were both greatly affected by the veil. Not only did it affect them all mentally, emotionally, and slightly physically, but it affected their moral values. “Rev. Hooper… hiding it from his congregation, who quickly are unnerved by this action, wondering why he has done so… not only does it affect the other members of the community, but it profoundly affects him as well, serving both external and deep internal conflicts. However, the veil does little but alienate Hooper from others… the veil shuts out