In “The Ministers Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne Mr. Hooper emerges from his home one Sunday morning donning a black veil. His black veil, upon closer inspection, consisted "of two folds of crape which entirely concealed his features except the mouth and chin, but probably did not intercept his sight, further than to give a darkened aspect to all living and inanimate things” (236 ). His veil revealed that he had committed serious sin. The veil also symbolizes his the secret face or border we have between our personal and public lives. This ominous black veil was not only a physical border or mask but also a symbolical one. Mr. Hooper’s veil in “The Ministers Black Veil” symbolizes his sin, his secret face, and his separation. Mr. Hooper’s veil in the story represents the sins he has committed. This symbolism is shown in a conversation that two of Mr. Hooper’s parishioners have in regards to him: “I wonder if he is
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Hooper’s veil also symbolizes the two faces most people have. A majority of the Earths populations possess two faces: a private and public one. When Mr. Hooper begins to wear the veil he brings his private face to the public. The fact that the veil symbolizes secret faces his shown when Mr. Hooper is on his death bed. He inquires to why everyone "trembles at [him] alone … [and not] also at each other" (246). With this line, Mr. Hooper tells everyone that they should not be afraid of him unless they are afraid of themselves. A little further on Mr. Hooper clearly states that everyone has two faces: "I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a Black Veil!" (246).When Mr., Hooper says he that he sees a black veil on every one of them he is saying that they all have two faces. Mr. Hooper has brought his private face to the public, whereas the rest of the parish is still shielding their private face behind their public one. Mr. Hooper’s black veil is a representation of his secret face proving that the veil symbolizes multiple
Hooper’s veil also symbolizes the two faces most people have. A majority of the Earths populations possess two faces: a private and public one. When Mr. Hooper begins to wear the veil he brings his private face to the public. The fact that the veil symbolizes secret faces his shown when Mr. Hooper is on his death bed. He inquires to why everyone "trembles at [him] alone … [and not] also at each other" (246). With this line, Mr. Hooper tells everyone that they should not be afraid of him unless they are afraid of themselves. A little further on Mr. Hooper clearly states that everyone has two faces: "I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a Black Veil!" (246).When Mr., Hooper says he that he sees a black veil on every one of them he is saying that they all have two faces. Mr. Hooper has brought his private face to the public, whereas the rest of the parish is still shielding their private face behind their public one. Mr. Hooper’s black veil is a representation of his secret face proving that the veil symbolizes multiple