“The Minister’s Black Veil”: Mental Events Through External Action
Some of the most important events in literature occur within a character’s mind. The catalysts that begin a narrative are often awakenings or changes in consciousness. A very simple way to show the significance of these events is to utilize external action. Through external action, authors convey suspense, excitement, and climax. In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Nathaniel Hawthorne conveys suspense and excitement regarding crucial internal events through setting, hysteria, and conflict. The main character of “The Minister’s Black Veil” is the Reverend Mr. Hooper. Hooper was part of a small community in New England. One morning he came out of his house for Sunday church wearing a black veil that covered most of his face,”On a nearer view it seemed to consist of two folds of crape, which entirely concealed his features, except the mouth and chin, …show more content…
A main conflict was within Hooper. Hooper often smiled faintly underneath his veil. It creates a sort of paradox with the dark outer shell (Earle 3). This adds an element of confusion that peaks the reader’s interest. It would also lead some to question Hooper and his intentions. The veil covers everything except his mouth, the way to communicate with the congregation. This allowed him to preach to them more effectively. It made them unsettled and avert from his eye (William 7). Another important conflict throughout the parable was between Hooper and his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth realized a truth about human nature based on his ideas behind the veil. She believed that men are both good and evil. This contrasts Hooper’s ideas about human nature (Bunge 135). She believed that Hooper’s way of looking at life was dismal. The veil prevented him from seeing the good. It is a barrier that darkens everything (Bunge
Some of the most important events in literature occur within a character’s mind. The catalysts that begin a narrative are often awakenings or changes in consciousness. A very simple way to show the significance of these events is to utilize external action. Through external action, authors convey suspense, excitement, and climax. In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Nathaniel Hawthorne conveys suspense and excitement regarding crucial internal events through setting, hysteria, and conflict. The main character of “The Minister’s Black Veil” is the Reverend Mr. Hooper. Hooper was part of a small community in New England. One morning he came out of his house for Sunday church wearing a black veil that covered most of his face,”On a nearer view it seemed to consist of two folds of crape, which entirely concealed his features, except the mouth and chin, …show more content…
A main conflict was within Hooper. Hooper often smiled faintly underneath his veil. It creates a sort of paradox with the dark outer shell (Earle 3). This adds an element of confusion that peaks the reader’s interest. It would also lead some to question Hooper and his intentions. The veil covers everything except his mouth, the way to communicate with the congregation. This allowed him to preach to them more effectively. It made them unsettled and avert from his eye (William 7). Another important conflict throughout the parable was between Hooper and his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth realized a truth about human nature based on his ideas behind the veil. She believed that men are both good and evil. This contrasts Hooper’s ideas about human nature (Bunge 135). She believed that Hooper’s way of looking at life was dismal. The veil prevented him from seeing the good. It is a barrier that darkens everything (Bunge