Secret Sin In The Minister's Black Veil

The idea of secret sin in a perfectly religious society comes up again and again throughout the story. The black veil was thought to cover the minister's secret sins but, on his deathbed, he revealed that everybody should be wearing a black veil because everyone has a secret sin or sorrow that is hidden from all others. Hence, one of the major themes of the minister's black veil is that of secret sin and how many people neglect to admit that they have secret sins but instead, blame and judge others. Mr. Hooper intently decided to wear a veil daily to represent sin, but he never revealed the reason behind wearing it, this is left for the reader to decipher. Now the Black Veil itself can symbolize many different things according to the opinion of the reader. The most basic analysis of this object would allow you to think that Mr. Hooper wears the Veil in order to conceal his direct sin. Perhaps he has committed adultery with the young maiden who

Hooper interacts with his plighted wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the only one of the townspeople that is brave enough to ask Mr.Hooper about the reason behind wearing the veil. She had a simple request, "Lift the veil but once, and look me in the face (12)", but Mr. Hooper persisted it must never come off. She assumes that he has decided to wear the veil only because he is hiding some secret sin or crime. "Beloved and respected as you are, there may be whispers that you hide your face under the consciousness of secret sin. (10)" Elizabeth is worried about the public opinion rather than her Husband to be, perhaps the reason why she leaves Mr. Hooper when he refuses to remove the veil. Furthermore, Mr. Hooper tells Elizabeth that his veil is additionally a symbol. Because he chooses to make his secret visible, Mr. Hooper becomes a lonely man. He loses not only his plighted wife but many friends and parishioners who once held him with the utmost