What Is The Symbolism In The Minister's Black Veil
The main point of the story was having the freedom to do something without being judged by others. People seemed to jump to conclusion that the Mr. Hooper was hiding something and keeping a secret sin. The veil was symbolized as a fearful secret between his community and him and they found themselves too intimidated to approach him and ask why he wore the black veil. "What, but the mystery which it obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend the lover to his best beloved; when a man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, treasuring up the secret of his in then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! on every visage a Black veil !" (17). The Minister's Black Veil has characteristics that are unique to the
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Romantic period, particularly those which are directly connected with Gothic literature. In Gothic literature, there are several elements to be considered but all of them may not be included in one same specific story. However, in The Minister's Black Veil there are plenty to consider, the limitations of humanity, mystery and suspense, nostalgia and inner conflict, sadness and the disconnect between man and his nature.
One important thing of individual freedom is that each and every person has the right to choose for himself.
In the short story, Father Hooper chooses to wear a black veil over his face for the rest of his life. Though many people believe it is a punishment for some terrible sin that he has committed we, the reader, discover that he has chooses to wear the veil to reflect the hidden sins within himself, but he still reminds those nearby that all God's creatures have the same hidden sins, and therefore, instead of wearing a black veil, they hide their sins behind a false front, like wearing a mask. "The Minister's Black Veil," Mr. Hooper wears a black crape veil that falls over his face, hiding it from his congregation, who quickly are unnerved by this action, wondering why he is wearing the veil. Further, the ironic aspect of this action of Mr. Hooper is that not only does it affect the other members of the community, but it profoundly affects him, as well, serving both external and internal conflicts. However, the veil does little but alienate Mr. Hooper from others, rather than getting them to look into their own
souls. Most may wonder why Hooper chooses to wear the veil, the reason is not given in the story but foreshadows why he wears the veil. In fact, it’s the doubt that makes the reaction of the townspeople all the more telling of their natural sin and false nature. While speculating as to what horrific crime the minister must have committed, they oversee their own crimes, both large and small. The minister becomes someone who is called in times of need but ignored in his time of need. They feared him, only because of a simple veil and in doing so, shows how shallow and unappreciative their faith really is. The black veil is a symbol of secret sin and the how terrible human nature can be. This could represent the secret sin that all people carry in their hearts, or it could be a representation of Mr. Hooper's specific sin, which some readers think to be adultery.
A parable is defined as a simple story that is used to demonstrate a moral truth or teaching, as defined by the parables. Without a doubt, it could be stated that this story is rather more complex than a parable, because of its length and also the difficulties in defining with any the meaning of the symbol of the black veil itself, but it’s clear that this is a short story that is meant to be , and it is also to be remembered that leaving them to wonder about their meaning, in the same way that Hawthorne leaves the reader facing a certain amount of uncertainty as they try to work out the meaning of the symbol of the black veil. The strongest hint that the reader is given about the meaning of this symbol is shown in the final words that Father Hooper utters on his deathbed when others attempt to persuade him to remove his black veil.
The major theme of The Minister’s Black Veil is revealed in the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s remarks to Elizabeth when she attempts to discover why he has chosen to put on the veil. She assumes that he has decided to wear the veil only because of some secret sin or crime, but as part of the development of the major theme, he tells Elizabeth that his veil is additionally a symbol. Because he chooses to make his secret visible, Mr. Hooper becomes a lonely man. Mr. Hooper's dying words: everyone has a secret sin that is hidden from all others. The veil, he says, is but a symbol of the masks of cheating and sin that separate all individuals from truly facing themselves, their loved ones, and the holy spirit. All individuals wear such a mask, and Mr. Hooper's veil has been only a symbolic reminder of a truth that most are unwilling to admit. Mr. Hooper pays a high price for this lesson he is feared, misunderstood, and left to live a lonely life. It's about the veil we all hide behind. We all have a mask that we hide behind for the benefit of the world. The minister in the story felt the need to show everyone that everyone in fact has this. He used himself as an example. Even in death, he had things to hide because he is so conscious of his sinfulness, he cannot share in the simple joys of living enjoyed by his parishioners. Worse, after donning the veil, Mr. Hooper also finds himself incapable of clarifying the Scriptures, because together with his awareness of his own sinfulness, he has become more aware of the obscurity of the ways of God. Consequently, the only way he has remained serving his ways is by living example of his faith and a warning to those who see him.
Romantic period, particularly those which are directly connected with Gothic literature. In Gothic literature, there are several elements to be considered but all of them may not be included in one same specific story. However, in The Minister's Black Veil there are plenty to consider, the limitations of humanity, mystery and suspense, nostalgia and inner conflict, sadness and the disconnect between man and his nature.
One important thing of individual freedom is that each and every person has the right to choose for himself.
In the short story, Father Hooper chooses to wear a black veil over his face for the rest of his life. Though many people believe it is a punishment for some terrible sin that he has committed we, the reader, discover that he has chooses to wear the veil to reflect the hidden sins within himself, but he still reminds those nearby that all God's creatures have the same hidden sins, and therefore, instead of wearing a black veil, they hide their sins behind a false front, like wearing a mask. "The Minister's Black Veil," Mr. Hooper wears a black crape veil that falls over his face, hiding it from his congregation, who quickly are unnerved by this action, wondering why he is wearing the veil. Further, the ironic aspect of this action of Mr. Hooper is that not only does it affect the other members of the community, but it profoundly affects him, as well, serving both external and internal conflicts. However, the veil does little but alienate Mr. Hooper from others, rather than getting them to look into their own
souls. Most may wonder why Hooper chooses to wear the veil, the reason is not given in the story but foreshadows why he wears the veil. In fact, it’s the doubt that makes the reaction of the townspeople all the more telling of their natural sin and false nature. While speculating as to what horrific crime the minister must have committed, they oversee their own crimes, both large and small. The minister becomes someone who is called in times of need but ignored in his time of need. They feared him, only because of a simple veil and in doing so, shows how shallow and unappreciative their faith really is. The black veil is a symbol of secret sin and the how terrible human nature can be. This could represent the secret sin that all people carry in their hearts, or it could be a representation of Mr. Hooper's specific sin, which some readers think to be adultery.
A parable is defined as a simple story that is used to demonstrate a moral truth or teaching, as defined by the parables. Without a doubt, it could be stated that this story is rather more complex than a parable, because of its length and also the difficulties in defining with any the meaning of the symbol of the black veil itself, but it’s clear that this is a short story that is meant to be , and it is also to be remembered that leaving them to wonder about their meaning, in the same way that Hawthorne leaves the reader facing a certain amount of uncertainty as they try to work out the meaning of the symbol of the black veil. The strongest hint that the reader is given about the meaning of this symbol is shown in the final words that Father Hooper utters on his deathbed when others attempt to persuade him to remove his black veil.
The major theme of The Minister’s Black Veil is revealed in the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s remarks to Elizabeth when she attempts to discover why he has chosen to put on the veil. She assumes that he has decided to wear the veil only because of some secret sin or crime, but as part of the development of the major theme, he tells Elizabeth that his veil is additionally a symbol. Because he chooses to make his secret visible, Mr. Hooper becomes a lonely man. Mr. Hooper's dying words: everyone has a secret sin that is hidden from all others. The veil, he says, is but a symbol of the masks of cheating and sin that separate all individuals from truly facing themselves, their loved ones, and the holy spirit. All individuals wear such a mask, and Mr. Hooper's veil has been only a symbolic reminder of a truth that most are unwilling to admit. Mr. Hooper pays a high price for this lesson he is feared, misunderstood, and left to live a lonely life. It's about the veil we all hide behind. We all have a mask that we hide behind for the benefit of the world. The minister in the story felt the need to show everyone that everyone in fact has this. He used himself as an example. Even in death, he had things to hide because he is so conscious of his sinfulness, he cannot share in the simple joys of living enjoyed by his parishioners. Worse, after donning the veil, Mr. Hooper also finds himself incapable of clarifying the Scriptures, because together with his awareness of his own sinfulness, he has become more aware of the obscurity of the ways of God. Consequently, the only way he has remained serving his ways is by living example of his faith and a warning to those who see him.