The Minister's Black Veil Essay

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"The ultimate mystery is one's own self" Sammy Davis. Mr. Hooper was considered a man with hidden sins because he would not reveal his true self, his face. He covered his face with a black veil to mourn those who have an indescribable life of horrors. In the story, the minister's black veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne includes many hidden meanings, symbols, romanticism, motifs, and themes. Mr. Hooper experiences downfalls by wearing his black veil. Consequently, he loses his fiance, and the church begins spreading rumors about why he may be wearing his black veil. Thus, the black veil has brought him several tragedies that he will never regret, not even on his deathbed.
Mr. Hooper began wearing the black veil to accompany the funeral of a young …show more content…

The theme in this story is that misfortunes come to those who do not seek it, and to those who are pure. In addition, the black veil represents: those who do not have a say in anything, and those who do not have anything to live for. Mr. Hooper wore the black veil in symbolizing those who have lost or live their life unjustly. While he is trying to represent those, his life becomes unjust. In the article written by William Freedman says “Some of the townspeople are amazed, others awed; some are fearful or intimidated, others perplexed or defensively wise, while yet others are inspired or made hopeful… . Both conjure back into the simple materials of literature and earth a power beyond. They do so, as Teufelsdrockh recommends, by planting "into the deep infinite faculties of man, his Fantasy and Heart" (Carlyle 225)-Hooper by means of the veil, the artist by means of the symbol the veil represents.”, which demonstrates how the townspeople took the fact that Mr. Hooper would never reveal his face. In the same manner, some took it lightly as many live their life ‘lightly’ or joyfully. However, many were frightened by the black veil and the person wearing it, being Mr. Hooper; this represents those who live their life frightened by the world or those who live their life mourning the loss or lack of their belongings or love. In all, the theme represents those who live and how they live their own individual

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