Why do people fear what they do not know or understand? When people buy into the idea or illusion that the world is only black and white, gray is often misunderstood and not accepted. Small changes or differences are not always welcomed among the hearts and minds of the people who view the world as either black or white. This is clearly the case in “The Minister’s Black Veil”, the wearing of the veil is misunderstood and not accepted amongst the people. I chose “The Minister’s Black Veil” because of the sheer mystery the black veil provides. I believe the story is relevant because in this life there are many people who wear an “invisible” black veil and think that their sin is hidden because of it; everybody has some kind of issue or skeletons
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The congregation thinks that the black veil is a prominent sign that the minister is using it to atone for the worst of worst sin, which is ridiculous since all sin are equal. The black veil is a symbol of many different road blocks and facades people use to hide who they really are and the secret sin they indulge in. When we fail to recognize the black veil we wear, we will continue to shine the light on other. This story made me think about the Book of Matthew, chapter seven, verse three through five in The Bible and how it basically says to stop being a hypocrite and focus on your short comings and to fix yourself first before looking at others and their issues. In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, the congregation allowed the outward appearance of a man whom they all knew and respected to change based on assumptions and speculations of the “unknown”. Even though the minister physically wore the veil the congregation exposed the veil that occupied their hearts and minds. “The Minister’s Black Veil” reminds me to examine self before passing judgment on other’s, because I am not perfect myself. It is much easier to point out or shine the light on others short comings, than to look in the mirror and correct the wrongs that we see within
The congregation thinks that the black veil is a prominent sign that the minister is using it to atone for the worst of worst sin, which is ridiculous since all sin are equal. The black veil is a symbol of many different road blocks and facades people use to hide who they really are and the secret sin they indulge in. When we fail to recognize the black veil we wear, we will continue to shine the light on other. This story made me think about the Book of Matthew, chapter seven, verse three through five in The Bible and how it basically says to stop being a hypocrite and focus on your short comings and to fix yourself first before looking at others and their issues. In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, the congregation allowed the outward appearance of a man whom they all knew and respected to change based on assumptions and speculations of the “unknown”. Even though the minister physically wore the veil the congregation exposed the veil that occupied their hearts and minds. “The Minister’s Black Veil” reminds me to examine self before passing judgment on other’s, because I am not perfect myself. It is much easier to point out or shine the light on others short comings, than to look in the mirror and correct the wrongs that we see within