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Evidence In The Minister's Black Veil

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“He has changed himself into something awful, only by hiding his face” (Hawthorne XXX)
The Minister’s Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne tells the story of a clergyman and a black veil that scares all who see it.
Hawthorne’s short story pushes the theme that “Everyone has a black veil and hides who they really are” through dialogue and character’s action. This means every person either hides their unpopular opinions/beliefs or is hiding a secret sin. Dialogue evidence can be found in a conversation between Mr. Hooper and Elizabeth, and what is said at Mr. Hooper’s death bed. Evidence from character actions is seen in how Elizabeth hides her love from Mr. Hooper, and how the whole town treats him with his black veil on. Through clear character dialogue and textual evidence, Hawthorne’s story says everyone has a Black Veil that they are hiding under. Hawthorne writes, “ ‘There is an hour to come,’ said he, ‘when all of us shall cast aside our veils. Take it not amiss, beloved friend, if I wear this piece of crape till then’ “ (Hawthorne XXX). This quote is from Mr. Hooper, and is saying that he will not take off his literal veil, until everyone else takes off their symbolic veil. The symbolic veil represents what people hide from from everyone else. When Mr. Hooper lay dying, Hawthorne wrote, “ ‘I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a black veil’ “ (Hawthorne XXX). This quote is even more …show more content…

This story is timeless, and people should apply its message to our lives today, this sounds straight out of a cheesy movie, but it’s very important that people be

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