Mortality In The Minister's Black Veil

Mortality is defined as “the way that people do not live forever” or “the number of deaths within a particular society and within a particular period of time.” Nathaniel Hawthorne, an American short story writer known for his works on mortality, emphasizes this theme in “The Minister’s Black Veil.” In this story, Mr. Hooper wears a black veil, which bewilders and unnerves his parishioners and his fiancee. Through Hawthorne’s usage of ominous language and illustration of Mr. Hooper’s struggle for human connection, the inevitability of death and the impact of mortality on people’s lives are prominently expressed.

On the first page, the veil is presented as a bizarre object, sparking controversy in Mr. Hooper's village. A church custodian first

Hooper’s positive reputation. This is contrasted with his veil, creating a sense of shock and confusion, as seen in the custodian’s cry of astonishment. Hawthorne effectively describes an outsider’s perspective, almost as if the reader is part of the village’s throng, watching Mr. Hooper. This immerses the reader more deeply into the story and creates suspense and dread, which are feelings that are closely associated with death. Hawthorne induces these feelings in the reader to also recreate what one would feel like to discover someone’s passing through his usage of the veil. Hawthorne describes the position of the veil as “upon his face”, preventing others from seeing his disposition as one’s face is a pathway to determining and understanding one’s emotions. As a result, the others cannot understand the effect that their remarks have on Mr. Hooper. His mental health declines and he becomes more isolated and distressed. Lack of validation and support from others is often linked to higher feelings of distress and depression, which can lead to mortality. Hawthorne continues describing Mr. Hooper’s physical attributes: “With this gloomy

Hooper reveal why he wears the veil on his deathbed. Hawthorne places his outburst at the end of his life: “‘When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! on every visage a Black Veil!’” (Hawthorne 13). Like Mr. Hooper’s previous outburst, his sentences elicit a feeling of intensity, drawing the reader deeper into the scene. Hawthorne uses the phrase “When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend” to highlight how human connection can truly be authentic. Showing one’s “inmost heart” has a second meaning, as one can uncover their deepest thoughts and feelings. Mr. Hooper reveals this in his speech, showing how telling his truth has created an authentic connection between him and his parishioners. This is significant because Mr. Hooper never finds a genuine connection, except when he is on his deathbed. The phrase "then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die!" shows that Mr. Hooper has acknowledged that not everyone will agree with his beliefs. Referring to himself as a monster adds fear, which is usually associated with death. He has accepted that his death