Literary Analysis of The Ministers Black Veil
The Minister’s Black Veil is a story about a small town congregating and reacting when their minister known as Reverend Hooper come in the meeting-house decked in a unique black veil which he does not give any explanation about neither does he behave differently. However, as he gets in his congregation gets confused and frightened by his veil making him appear differently from head to toe (Newberry, 169). His look makes him appear like a ghost amongst his followers. However, the veil is putting on has some powers in that it gives him some powers and strange effect while giving his spiritual leadership sermons.
The story is a good parable and a moral lesson pegged on the common practice amongst people of hiding behind their appearance instead of facing their consciences. The story also provides the truth about institutions of religion and how the society through norms has masked the true nature of human being. The book gives a clear cut indication of how revealing true self can cause discomfort amongst people around us and the once who have chosen to stay hidden in their ways of life. The Black Veils symbolize people’s secret sin and their consciousness. The revered veils are ironical since it represents the process which separates everyone including his wife Elizabeth.
The veil cloth by Reverend Mr. Hoopes gives a story which also symbolizes how human being hides their true nature because of what they see around them. Human beings are fond of hiding their sins making it difficult to recognize self and consciousness. Generally, human being tends to have a face which depicts what we need out and expect from society, church, and neighbors. We are doing things to please people around us at the expense of our consciousness and self-discovery. The book presents the emblem of his lesson. What reverend has done has caused discomfort and revealed putty suspicion and unwarranted behavior amongst his followers. Reverend did not waiver in his conviction and even refused to remove in an attempt to send a signal and teach his followers to need to reveal his selves. But ironically it is his parishioners who should have put on the veils to give a clear picture of themselves. However, Hooper sacrificed himself at their expense and suffered despair, isolation, and heartbreak so that they could learn from his actions. “It was remarkable that of all the busybodies and impertinent people in the parish, not one ventured to put the plain question to Mr. Hooper, wherefore he did this thing.”
Hooper’s veils move with his breath symbolizing the difficulty which people face while trying to give a picture of who they are in society. It is always difficult to express ourselves in the midst of people fearing the repercussion and what people will think about us. The veil symbolizes the crown of thorn that Jesus wore as an indication of all sins and the suffering that he endured for the sake of his people. The reason why he sacrificed was to enlighten people through his sacrifices and death. Mr. Hooper gives a story about sin and he goes to the funeral to attend a woman burial.
From the book and the action of Mr. Hooper, it is clear that we should strive and understand ourselves and consciousness despite what we see around or what people may say about us. However, many people have failed to accept the existing challenges represented by Mr.Hooper’s veil. The veils have brought many challenges to Mr.Hooper symbolize challenges that humans facing when they decide to stand for what is right and avoid hiding.
Works cited
Newberry, Frederick. “The Biblical Veil: Sources and Typology in Hawthorne’s” The Minister’s Black Veil”.” Texas studies in literature and language 31.2 (1989): 169-195.