Minister's Black Veil Symbolism

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Nathaniel Hawthorne delves deep into the morals of human sin during the short story, “The Minister’s Black Veil”. Hawthorne utilizes symbolism that helps to represent romantic views and ideologies in writing. These symbols such as the veil, the village physician, and the conflict created by Elizabeth convey morals relating to the archetypical theme; where the opinion of the atypical differs between contrasting characters. For the duration of the story the minister has a black veil that is cast over his face. This black veil is arguably the most apparent symbol in the story. This black veil is meant to represent the sin that all humans carry a burden to but don’t admit to having. Unanimity is a theme that had been taught by many powerful …show more content…

In one of Gandhi’s writings, he blatantly states that “We can refuse to pay taxes if we have the requisite strength” (Gandhi). This statement shows that the Indian people have to work as a unified body in order to create change and do good. Thoreau similarly wants change in the government, which requires people’s personal opinions. Thoreau conveys the idea of unity by teaching that everybody should be one with their own consciousness. Gandhi similarly to Thoreau says to “Never bow to outrageous laws” (Gandhi). Which is conveying the idea of opposing the government because you feel they are doing something wrong. Nelson Mandela, the deceased president of South Africa, started his life in prison and worked his way up to the top of society. During his lifetime, Mandela taught many lessons that many people can learn from. On May 10th Mandela was inaugurated as Deputy President of the new Democratic, and non-racial South African government. During this inauguration both the old anthem of the republic and the new anthem of the democracy were sung. In order to create unity in this non-racial government the whites sung …show more content…

In Gandhi’s case he didn’t want people to “Bow to outrageous laws” (Gandhi). Which means that people should have the right to disagree with the government. This is what Gandhi and the Indian people did in order to oppress the British salt tax. This is the same message that Thoreau was trying to convey in Civil Disobedience. They are arguing that people have the right and should speak their mind about what the government is doing. The conflict comes in when a government is oppressive and doesn’t allow people to have these basic rights. Nelson Mandela believed in justice for a whole race. His mission was to make blacks equal in South America. This is another form of justice that is being represented. It is justice for a whole race that required major change in the South American society. All of these pieces of writing have to do in some way with the government, whether it be directly or indirectly. All of these writings talk about creating justice in society, specifically relating to a

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