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Puritan Symbolism In The Minister's Black Veil

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As the sexton rings the church bell to signal the beginning of the Sunday service, townspeople from all over the New England Village of Milford rush to the local meetinghouse. Since it is the 17th century, Puritans are required to attend church and will be subjected to a fine if they receive a certain number of absences. Their belief that God only chooses a few people to save drives them to live holy lives so that they might be among those who receive salvation. Out of motivation for becoming perfect Christians, these Puritans follow simple, strict lifestyles and obsessively scrutinize each other's actions and behaviors for the slightest traces of sin. Since the Puritan society views sin as equal to death, most Puritans keep their darkest imperfections to themselves for fear of going to Hell or dishonoring their religious community. …show more content…

In "The Minister's Black Veil," Nathaniel Hawthorne, an author of the Puritan era, criticizes Puritans for their ignorance concerning the dangers of hidden sins through his symbolism of the black veil and the relationship between a town minister, Mr. Hooper, and his townspeople. The townspeople's reaction to Mr. Hooper's sermon on secret sins, the growing distance between Mr. Hooper and his congregation, and the sacrifices Mr. Hooper makes to become isolated from the world demonstrates that hidden sins act as a physical and mental barrier between

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In Hawthorne’s short story, the minister walks out of the rectory one morning with a black veil covering his face. In this story, it is heavily debated what that black veil actually symbolizes. Could it be a symbol of sin and guilt, or is it rather a barrier between the minister and the rest of society? The story takes place in winter at Milford, Connecticut, where it focuses on Parson Hooper, the town’s minister.

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After reading both of the text “The Minister 's Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards they’re various similarities and differences can be noted, especially toward the attitudes of sin and guilt. In the story’s the are just portrayed a little bit different. In both stories the feel that sinning is horrible and should be frowned upon. In the story the “Minister 's Black Veil” Nathaniel Hawthorne wants the reader to know that Reverend Hooper is wanting to hide his past sins.

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A Sinner Black Veil In the story “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the reader can infer that Mr. Hooper teaches his community the lesson that everyone wears a black veil and has secret sins that are hidden from others. The author states that “if I cover it for secret sin, what mortal might not do the same?” In addition, Mr. Hooper wearing the black veil puzzles his community. The reason for that is that a priest does not wear a black veil and preaches in front of everyone in an act of betrayal of the belief in Jesus.

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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.

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In contrast, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” incorporates a narrative style, with the theme that one cannot hide from their own sins. Hawthorne writes, “There is an hour to come when all of us shall cast aside our veils.” The veil symbolizes sin, so the quote explains that one lives with their sins until death. This is a key line that ties the story’s theme

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