Author
Nathaniel Hawthorne is the author of The Minister's Black Veil. He was born in July of 1804 in Salem, MA. He wrote many things throughout his life. The first work published under his name was a collection of stories called Twice-told Tales, where Veil was also published. His works were inspired by the Puritans, America's original pilgrims.
Hawthorne married Sophia Peabody in 1842, with whom he had three children. They stayed in Massachusetts for the most part, but did some travelling to Europe in their later years. Hawthorne died in May of 1864. |
Summary
The Minister's Black Veil begins with a sexton ringing a bell, calling everyone to a meeting. He is told to stop ringing the bell when Reverend Hooper leaves his house; however, that day he noticed something different about him: he is wearing a black veil over his face. The townspeople get suspicious, especially when Hooper starts talking about sin at the sermon.
After the sermon, Hooper stays at the house for a funeral. A mourner speculates that the Reverend and the maiden's spirit were "walking hand in hand." That night, Hooper attends a wedding. When he arrives, his veil dampens the mood.
The next day, Hooper's fiancée asks him to take off the veil. He refuses. She then proceeds to ask her about why he is wearing the veil. Again, he refuses to divulge that information. Frustrated, she takes off, breaking the engagement.
Years later, Hooper lies dying on his deathbed. His former fiancée, keeping tabs on him all these years, arrives at his side. Again, when asked to remove the veil, the Father refuses. The mourners - all wearing black veils - start sobbing, but Hooper tells them to calm down; not for him, but for themselves.
Hooper is finally buried with the veil on his face.
After the sermon, Hooper stays at the house for a funeral. A mourner speculates that the Reverend and the maiden's spirit were "walking hand in hand." That night, Hooper attends a wedding. When he arrives, his veil dampens the mood.
The next day, Hooper's fiancée asks him to take off the veil. He refuses. She then proceeds to ask her about why he is wearing the veil. Again, he refuses to divulge that information. Frustrated, she takes off, breaking the engagement.
Years later, Hooper lies dying on his deathbed. His former fiancée, keeping tabs on him all these years, arrives at his side. Again, when asked to remove the veil, the Father refuses. The mourners - all wearing black veils - start sobbing, but Hooper tells them to calm down; not for him, but for themselves.
Hooper is finally buried with the veil on his face.
Analysis
Dark Romanticism and its associated authors focused on sin and the dark aspect of human nature. Hawthorne is no exception. His story The Minister's Black Veil focused on literally wearing sins and how that can affect other people's mindsets. Perhaps it even made them aware of their own sin, something that clearly made them uncomfortable. The townsfolk shun the Minister at first, but eventually welcome him back to convert the dying, something Hooper could do very well.
Veil could have been based in part on a true story. Around the same time as the story was written, a clergyman by the name of Joseph "Handkerchief" Moody killed a friend of his when he was young. Ever since the friend's funeral, he wore a black veil.
Symbols
The Veil is the most obvious symbol in that it represents all that the Puritans believed in. It is the object that the entire plot revolves around and causes Hooper to lead a rather depressing and lonely life.
The Lady who died early in the story could be a symbol. Dark Romantics thought sin could not be hidden; Hawthorne takes this idea literally by having our clergyman wear a veil throughout the story. One sin is adultery or extra-marital relations. The Minister started wearing this veil on the day this girl died. A mourner could see his and her spirits walking together. He would not take off the veil, even when alone in his fiancée's presence. All of these details suggest (the story is open to interpretation) that Hooper committed adultery and is now punishing himself in a way because of that.
Hooper represents the average man at the time. He sinned and then repented, just like what Puritans and other spirituals would do back in that time period.
Veil could have been based in part on a true story. Around the same time as the story was written, a clergyman by the name of Joseph "Handkerchief" Moody killed a friend of his when he was young. Ever since the friend's funeral, he wore a black veil.
Symbols
The Veil is the most obvious symbol in that it represents all that the Puritans believed in. It is the object that the entire plot revolves around and causes Hooper to lead a rather depressing and lonely life.
The Lady who died early in the story could be a symbol. Dark Romantics thought sin could not be hidden; Hawthorne takes this idea literally by having our clergyman wear a veil throughout the story. One sin is adultery or extra-marital relations. The Minister started wearing this veil on the day this girl died. A mourner could see his and her spirits walking together. He would not take off the veil, even when alone in his fiancée's presence. All of these details suggest (the story is open to interpretation) that Hooper committed adultery and is now punishing himself in a way because of that.
Hooper represents the average man at the time. He sinned and then repented, just like what Puritans and other spirituals would do back in that time period.
Quiz
- Why does the Minister not want to reveal his face in front of the deceased lady specifically, stating that he is "fearful of her glance"?
- Why do you think does Hooper's fiancée keep track of him through the years?
- The Veil's significance is speculative. Why did Hawthorne decide not to include explicit details that take care of the loose ends?
- Why would a true story like Moody's be good story material for an author like Hawthorne in a time period such as this?
- We have seen in history that an outcast (such as Hooper) would have been virtually exiled for acting in such a peculiar manner. Why did the townspeople decide to keep him around?
Answers:
- According to speculation, Hooper committed adultery with this lady. Assuming that this was "on accident," we can safely say that showing his face, even to a corpse, was a bad omen of sorts.
- She left him because of the veil. She probably still loved him, but was essentially forced to leave. By keeping track of him, the fiancée was able to see him legitimately before death.
- Due to the dark connotations of this piece, the author, and time period itself, Hawthorne probably assumed that readers would properly hypothesize anything left out.
- An "accidental" killing sound macabre: perfect material for a dark romantic story. He used some details of this real-life case to create a story based on his ideals.
- The townspeople, not matter how scared they might be, were curious. Also, they needed a clergyman.
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Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "The Minister's Black Veil." Eldritch Press. Eldritch Press, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
"The Minister's Black Veil." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
"The Minister's Black Veil Summary - ENotes.com." Enotes.com. Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
Smith, Nicole. "Full Summary and Analysis of “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne." Article Myriad. Article Myriad, 6 Dec. 2011. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
Brady, Matthew. Nathaniel Hawthorne. Digital image. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
"Nathaniel Hawthorne." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
"Salem, MA." Bing Maps. Microsoft, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
Severn, Chris G. "The Minister's Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne." What I'd Like My Son to Know. Wordpress, 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
"The Minister's Black Veil." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
"The Minister's Black Veil Summary - ENotes.com." Enotes.com. Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
Smith, Nicole. "Full Summary and Analysis of “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne." Article Myriad. Article Myriad, 6 Dec. 2011. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
Brady, Matthew. Nathaniel Hawthorne. Digital image. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
"Nathaniel Hawthorne." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
"Salem, MA." Bing Maps. Microsoft, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
Severn, Chris G. "The Minister's Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne." What I'd Like My Son to Know. Wordpress, 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.