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'Symbolism In The Minister's Black Veil'

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People of all ages and sizes are judged by their physical appearance and even the most righteous ones have committed at least one sin throughout their lives. As Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Minister’s Black Veil” develops, it becomes evident that everyone in society is consistently judging the protagonist, Mr. Hooper, upon how he perpetually wears his black veil; even when he is the ‘priest’ during a wedding or when he is conferencing with his fiancée, Elizabeth, who too has yet to see the face behind his black veil. In this short story, symbolism, which is the use of symbols to emphasize particular ideas by giving them symbolic meanings which are not close to their literal definition, is key to this story. Mr. Hooper’s black veil is a symbol …show more content…

Immediately after Elizabeth leaves Mr. Hooper, Hathorne asserts, “But, even amid his grief, Mr. Hooper smiled to think that only a material emblem had separated him from his happiness through the horrors, for which it shadows forth must be drawn darkly between the fondest of lovers.” The material emblem mentioned in this quotation is a metaphor for the black veil, and commonly an emblem is given a positive connotation representing something that is of help; however, it is evident that this veil is meant to have a negative connotation as it continues to symbolize death and sins. By Hawthorne claiming it shadows forth must be drawn darkly between the fondest of lovers, he means that no matter how to what extent two people love each other, a relationship that is not built on the basis of trust will not last. This illustrates how this very black veil has separated him from his fiancée who is just letting him slowly die on the inside all alone without any support. This depicts how no matter if you are a man or a woman, the loss of your significant other leaves you in the deep sea in depression. All in all, along with a pitiful tone, this solemn tone is also a significant part towards the development of this

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