Symbolism In The Minister's Black Veil And The Scarlet Letter

1235 Words3 Pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne is known for some of his well-written literary pieces. Some of Hawthorne’s literary works is the “The Minister 's Black Veil” and The Scarlet Letter. Within these literary pieces, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to shape the perspectives of the community members on how they see an individual wearing the symbol and how the person wearing the symbol feels externally and internally within. Symbols can mean many things, it may or may not change over time. It’s up to one to let a symbol define them or not, it they allow it to define them, let it be in a way where it’s turned into something beautiful. Actions, something we do every day, sometimes without thinking twice if we should act on it or not. Whether if they are …show more content…

Hawthorne writes, "Why do you tremble at me alone?.. Tremble also at each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my 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, loathsomely, reasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster’’(Hawthorne, 8). This textual evidence shows that the townspeople were scared of Mr. Hooper, they all thought he sinned badly and that he in general was a scary guy because of his appearance. People were uneasy around both characters. They did not see him for who he was on the inside, they only saw him for what he had shown externally. Just like in The Scarlet Letter with Hester, the townspeople also saw her for her sin, almost as if the scarlet letter was the only thing that could define her. Hester was always constantly being judged and talked about, just like Mr. Hooper was. Both characters had to deal with ignominy every day of their life. They lived in a society where if one were to commit a sin or thought to commit one the whole town will be talking about …show more content…

I would say Hester did, because even though she was being judged by her sin like Mr. Hooper, he was not as excluded in ways she was, so Hester had a longer lasting impression. The way she portrayed herself is an example for society today. We must not allow something we have done in the past affect us in ways it shouldn 't. Past mistakes help shape who you are, so make the best out the situation. Just like Hester did, and accept the past for what it is, like Mr. Hooper did. Hawthorne’s “The Minister 's Black Veil” and The Scarlet Letter both have a moral lesson within their story, with the whole thing on sin, everyone does it. Actions lead to consequences, which may become into sins. Only let yourself define who you are. A symbol can carry great meaning, choose to have a great

Open Document