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Shame In The Minister's Black Veil By Nathaniel Hawthorne

660 Words3 Pages

Wearing a black veil is almost never positive, especially when a minister is the wearer. Why would any minister wear a veil? The reason for Mr. Hooper’s veil goes deeper than just sadness. Hooper conveys a sense of deep regret behind the mysterious black veil. In Hawthorne’s, “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Hawthorne uses the veil to illustrate shame, the “mask” of society, and the fear of past sins. Shame is one of the main reasons for the minister’s black veil. The veil signifies a sense of deep regret and shame. Mysterious sin can be symbolized through the veil as well; the minister is judged as soon as he is seen. In society, people are quick to judge if someone is wearing something out of the ordinary. “There is nothing terrible in this piece of crape, except that it hides a face which I am always glad to look upon ,”(page). This quote …show more content…

Unwanted memory of past sin is seemingly catching up to the minister; the minister is scared of the things he has done previously. Using the black veil as a cover gives the minister a hiding place from his dark past. “Beloved and respected as you are, there may be whispers that you hide your face under the consciousness of secret sin. For the sake of your holy office, do away this scandal,” (page). Removing the veil of fear can do away with lots of confusion; as expressed in this quote. Present day government can show a fear of the past. Government spending can easily be the scariest thing our country faces today, yet the government still puts on a “mask” and acts as if everything is fine. But society knows something is truly wrong, and our government should be scared of its past “sins”. Fearful memory of sin, which is debt in this case, is the motivation for todays “masks” worn by our political leaders. Asking for forgiveness is an easy way to escape from your sin. Forgiveness can set one free from all past anti-moral

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