As a literary technique, symbolism forces readers to impose their own beliefs and knowledge on a text, allowing for a variety of different interpretations and a personal relationship with a text. Nathaniel Hawthorne used symbolism in his works, often layering one symbol with multiple meanings. His short story, “The Minister’s Black Veil” contains one of his most ambiguous symbols: the black veil. In Hawthorne’s “The Minister’s Black Veil” the veil does not represent a secret sin or personal flaw of Mr. Hooper, but rather…
While what the black veil symbolizes remains ambiguous and unresolved throughout the story, Hawthorne does reveal why Mr. Hooper wears the veil: he made a vow. When his betrothed, Elizabeth, confronts Mr. Hooper about the …show more content…
Hooper feel the need to resort to vow to God to wear a black veil over his face for the rest of his life? In his critique, James B. Reece claims, “Hawthorne provides Mr. Hooper, a man of little personal force, with ample motivation for adopting some powerful means to increase the effectiveness of his ministry, even to the extent of binding himself to a demanding sacred vow” (117). Mr. Hooper vows to wear the veil in exchange for increasing his effectiveness as a minister. The text provides evidence supporting this claim. The narrator reveals, “the black veil had the one desirable effect, of making its wearer a very efficient clergyman. By the aid of his mysterious emblem – for there was no other apparent cause – he became a man of artful power, over souls that were in agony for sin” (1136). The narrator specifically states that this is “the one desirable effect,” implying that this the outcome Mr. Hooper wanted when he took the vow. The narrator also openly admits the veil is the only apparent reason for Mr. Hooper’s success as a minister. This supports the theory that Mr. Hooper vows to wear the veil in exchange for the power to become a minister with the ability to save his congregation from sin. Why would such a vow be necessary? Mr. Hooper possesses a mild personality. His smiles are faint and he moves quietly. The narrator states Mr. Hooper always allowed himself to be guided by the judgment of his parishioners and that “If he erred at all, it was by so …show more content…
Hooper only becomes forceful and passionate when he perceives his vow may be in danger of being broken. During the funeral when Mr. Hooper bends over the coffin and the veil “hung straight down from his forehead, so that, if her eye-lids had not been closed for ever, the dead maiden might have seen his face” the narrator suggests, “Could Mr. Hooper be fearful of her glance, that he so hastily caught back the black veil” (Hawthorne 1132). Mr. Hooper reacts out of fear of breaking his vow. He refuses to risk the salvation of his congregation by baring his face even for a corpse. He displays the same forcefulness when he pleads with Elizabeth to stay with him. She asks him to lift the veil one last time in order for her to stay, but he still refuses though he knows it will result in her leaving (Hawthorne 1135). His refusal indicates the severity of his vow. He is not willing to break it even for the woman he loves. The importance of the vow is demonstrated again on his deathbed. When Reverend Mr. Clark tries to remove the veil, Mr. Hooper stops him by “exerting a sudden energy, that made all the beholders stand aghast” (Hawthorne 1137). Mr. Hooper’s reactions do not make sense if he wears the veil as a penitent act or only for symbolic value. His instinct to keep his face hidden from the corpse, his refusal to remove the veil in order to save his relationship, and the sudden spurt of energy on his deathbed can only be explained satisfactorily if Mr.
While what the black veil symbolizes remains ambiguous and unresolved throughout the story, Hawthorne does reveal why Mr. Hooper wears the veil: he made a vow. When his betrothed, Elizabeth, confronts Mr. Hooper about the …show more content…
Hooper feel the need to resort to vow to God to wear a black veil over his face for the rest of his life? In his critique, James B. Reece claims, “Hawthorne provides Mr. Hooper, a man of little personal force, with ample motivation for adopting some powerful means to increase the effectiveness of his ministry, even to the extent of binding himself to a demanding sacred vow” (117). Mr. Hooper vows to wear the veil in exchange for increasing his effectiveness as a minister. The text provides evidence supporting this claim. The narrator reveals, “the black veil had the one desirable effect, of making its wearer a very efficient clergyman. By the aid of his mysterious emblem – for there was no other apparent cause – he became a man of artful power, over souls that were in agony for sin” (1136). The narrator specifically states that this is “the one desirable effect,” implying that this the outcome Mr. Hooper wanted when he took the vow. The narrator also openly admits the veil is the only apparent reason for Mr. Hooper’s success as a minister. This supports the theory that Mr. Hooper vows to wear the veil in exchange for the power to become a minister with the ability to save his congregation from sin. Why would such a vow be necessary? Mr. Hooper possesses a mild personality. His smiles are faint and he moves quietly. The narrator states Mr. Hooper always allowed himself to be guided by the judgment of his parishioners and that “If he erred at all, it was by so …show more content…
Hooper only becomes forceful and passionate when he perceives his vow may be in danger of being broken. During the funeral when Mr. Hooper bends over the coffin and the veil “hung straight down from his forehead, so that, if her eye-lids had not been closed for ever, the dead maiden might have seen his face” the narrator suggests, “Could Mr. Hooper be fearful of her glance, that he so hastily caught back the black veil” (Hawthorne 1132). Mr. Hooper reacts out of fear of breaking his vow. He refuses to risk the salvation of his congregation by baring his face even for a corpse. He displays the same forcefulness when he pleads with Elizabeth to stay with him. She asks him to lift the veil one last time in order for her to stay, but he still refuses though he knows it will result in her leaving (Hawthorne 1135). His refusal indicates the severity of his vow. He is not willing to break it even for the woman he loves. The importance of the vow is demonstrated again on his deathbed. When Reverend Mr. Clark tries to remove the veil, Mr. Hooper stops him by “exerting a sudden energy, that made all the beholders stand aghast” (Hawthorne 1137). Mr. Hooper’s reactions do not make sense if he wears the veil as a penitent act or only for symbolic value. His instinct to keep his face hidden from the corpse, his refusal to remove the veil in order to save his relationship, and the sudden spurt of energy on his deathbed can only be explained satisfactorily if Mr.