The Minister's Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne
"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short story centered around Reverend Mr. Hooper, who shocks his congregation by wearing a mysterious black veil that obscures his face. The reaction from his parishioners varies, ranging from fear and superstition to speculation about his mental state. Throughout the story, the veil becomes a powerful symbol that evokes themes of sin, isolation, and the hidden struggles of human nature. Despite efforts from his fiancée, Elizabeth, to understand the reason behind the veil, Mr. Hooper remains resolute in his choice to wear it, suggesting a deeper connection to the universal experience of guilt and the human condition. As time passes, the veil negatively impacts his relationships and reputation, but it also enhances his effectiveness as a preacher, resonating with the sins of his listeners. Ultimately, the story explores the complexities of personal identity and societal perception, culminating in Mr. Hooper's poignant death, where he reveals that all people bear their own metaphorical veils. The narrative invites readers to reflect on the hidden truths within themselves and the lives of others, encouraging an understanding of shared vulnerabilities.
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The Minister's Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne
First published: 1835
Type of plot: Parable
Time of work: The seventeenth century
Locale: Puritan New England
Principal Characters:
The Reverend Mr. Hooper , the protagonist and minister of MilfordElizabeth , his fiancéThe Reverend Mr. Clark , the minister from Westbury who presides over Mr. Hooper's funeral
The Story
One Sunday, at the early morning service, the Reverend Mr. Hooper appears before his congregation wearing a black veil that extends from his forehead down over his mouth. The parishioners are shocked; some suggest that he has gone mad, and others speculate that perhaps the veiled figure is not the Reverend Mr. Hooper at all. What is clear, however, is that the veil has a tremendous impact on the congregation. Women with weak nerves must leave the service. Old Squire Saunders, who ordinarily invites the Reverend Mr. Hooper to dinner after the service, even forgets to extend his invitation. That afternoon, the Reverend Mr. Hooper conducts a funeral service for a young lady, and the veil again affects his audience. A "superstitious old woman" supposes that when the Reverend Mr. Hooper bends over the coffin, the corpse of the young lady shudders as his face is slightly unveiled, and two of the mourners in the procession to the grave say that they saw the spirits of the minister and the maiden walking hand in hand.
Finally, that night, Milford's handsomest young couple are married by the minister, and his veil casts a pall over the whole ceremony. When the Reverend Mr. Hooper catches a glimpse of himself in a mirror at the reception, he shudders and spills some wedding wine on the carpet, then leaves abruptly.
By morning, the minister's black veil is the central topic of conversation in the village of Milford, and it seems that no one can solve the mystery. A deputation from the church is sent to the minister's home to question him about the black veil, but they return entirely disappointed. Only one person can solve the mystery, Elizabeth, who is engaged to be married to the Reverend Hooper. At the first opportunity, she approaches him on the subject of the black veil, and to her questions his reply is enigmatic. "Know, then, this veil is a type and a symbol, and I am bound to wear it ever, both in light and darkness, in solitude and before the gaze of multitudes, and as with strangers, so with my familiar friends." Though Elizabeth asks him to let her alone see his face, it quickly becomes apparent that he has no intention of ever removing the veil, not even for Elizabeth. As Elizabeth starts away, the Reverend Mr. Hooper catches her arm, pleading with her to have patience. "Lift the veil but once . . . ," she says, and he replies "Never!" With that, she leaves him, and they are never married, though Elizabeth provides a surprise at the conclusion of this tale.
After the interview with Elizabeth, no one attempts again to persuade the Reverend Mr. Hooper to remove the veil. Through the remainder of his life, the veil has many negative effects. His parishioners see him with dread, and children flee at his approach. Rumors and tales abound concerning why he put on the veil in the first place. Many speculate that his conscience is tormented by some horrible crime and he is a lonely man separated from others. Besides all the negative effects, there is one positive result of the veil: It makes him a very effective preacher, for the veil is a symbol of the sins of all and gives the Reverend Mr. Hooper a special power over sinners. They call out for him in their last moments and will not expire until his appearance. However, basically, the veil casts a sense of gloom before the Reverend Mr. Hooper, so much so that when he preaches an election-day sermon before the governor and the legislature, the legislation for that year is characterized by an unusual gloominess.
Other than the veil, the Reverend Mr. Hooper's life is exemplary. At length, he lies dying, attended by Elizabeth, who has been secretly faithful to him throughout his life. The Reverend Mr. Clark of Westbury arrives to attend the Reverend Mr. Hooper in his dying hour, and he attempts to remove the black veil from the Reverend Mr. Hooper's face. Exerting all of his will and strength, the Reverend Mr. Hooper clasps the veil to his face, and he tells the people crowded around his deathbed that he is not alone in wearing the black veil. "Why do you tremble at me alone?" he said. "Tremble also at each other! I look around me, and lo! on every visage a Black Veil!" With this, the Reverend Hooper dies, and all who knew him shudder to think that his face will molder in the grave, beneath the black veil.
Bibliography
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