Irony In The Minister's Black Veil

Nathaniel Hawthorne presents “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Hawthorne highlights how Mr.Hooper deliberately sacrifices and surrenders himself to represent self value and self worth. Mr. Hooper arrives at the meeting house with a black veil covering his face. The community is puzzled and confused on why he is covering his face. Throughout the story, the community comes to the understanding of why he chooses to cover his face with a black veil. Although Mr. Hooper is frowned upon and judged harshly because he chooses to cover his face with the black veil, he sacrificially stands strong to prove to his congregation that is okay to sacrifice your own reputation, and take responsibility for personal iniquity. Although Mr. Hooper commits a “secret sin”, he exhorts to his congregation that you should accept your sins and face your consequences. Mr. Hooper was judged terribly because he choose to wear the black veil. The congregation reacts by, “Twisting their heads [and] standing upright” (Hawthorne 27). Mr. Hooper momentarily sacrifices his puritan (holy) reputation by wearing the black veil despite the harsh ridicules from the judgmental, curious congregation. The veil highlights awful irony in his …show more content…
Even though he was a puritan minister, Mr. Hooper was the first to put away his pride and take full responsibility for his sin. Mr. Hooper became a man of power over souls that were agony in sin. He strived everyday to convince his community that no one is perfect but, forgiveness is waiting for them. On Mr. Hooper’s deathbed he states, “‘ I look around me, and lo! On every visage a black veil!’” (Hawthorne 30). The community follows his teachings and they began to wear the black veil to show they are not perfect, but they are ready for forgiveness. The puritan community began to sacrifice themselves in front of God and Mr.Hooper above as they take responsibility of their everyday