Reflection-The Minister and the Black Veil

“The Ministers Black Veil”, by Nathanial Hawthorne, is a very interesting story with a very good point to it. The minister, Mr. Hooper, was using his whole life to prove a point to his congregation and community. His point was that every single person lived their life behind a veil whether they wanted to admit it or not. He made himself a living example to the people in his community. Mr. Hooper was leading by example. If everyone lived behind a Black Veil then they were separated from their friends, but more importantly they were separated from God. The minister went through some difficult situations because of his devotion to God and his example to others. He was not able to fall in love because of the Black Veil.

“Have patience with me, Elizabeth!” cried he passionately. “Do not desert me, though this veil must be between us here on earth. Be mine, and hereafter there shall be no veil on my face, no darkness between our souls! It is but a mortal veil- it is not for eternity! O! you know not how lonely I am, and how frightened, to be alone behind my black veil. Do not leave me in this miserable obscurity forever!”

“Lift the veil but once, and look me in the face” she said

“Never! It can not be!” replied Mr. Hooper

“Then farewell!” said Elizabeth. (Hawthorne 286)

That is just one of example of something he had to give up in his life because of the Black Veil.

This story has many characteristics of the Dark Romanticism writings. One of the main things I noticed when reading this was that the story involved death once again. Many of the other Dark Romanticism writings involve death in them, such as; “The Raven” and “The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edger Allen Poe. In the story Hawthorne writes, “Father Hooper fell back upon his pillow a veiled corpse.” (Hawthorne 289). Nathanial Hawthorne also writes about some exotic creatures in his writing. He writes this on two ladies talking about the spirit of the woman who died. “’I had a fancy,” replied she, “that the minister and the woman’s spirit were walking hand in hand.’”(Hawthorne 284). That brings a certain mysticism feeling to the table. Making you feel almost uncomfortable. There is also the mention of ghosts on page 287 when Hawthorne writes, “It was said that ghost and fiend consorted with him there.” (Hawthorne 287). This is talking what goes on behind the Black Veil. The mentioning of the ghost and the spirit make the story feel dark and sinister.

This story attacks the psychological side by making you think. As I mentioned before the point of the story is to make you understand that everyone is living behind a Black Veil, or a mask, hiding their secrets and sins. All of this story makes you wonder what others are holding back from you and forces you to think about what you are hiding from everyone else. In the story people are scared to interact with the preacher because they are afraid of his veil. They are scared psychologically because the people thoughts were running wildly through their minds. The story growing larger and larger all of the time because of the way people twist the story.

Hawthorne, Nathanial. "The Ministers Black Veil." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 97-99. Print.