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The Minister's Black Veil: A Paradigm | Introduction

Nathaniel Hawthorne's ‘‘The Minister's Black Veil’’ first appeared in 1836 in the journal the Token. It was published anonymously, along with several other tales that Hawthorne had submitted. These tales met with critical acclaim, and their anonymous author, writing of unique American experiences, was praised as a genius. In 1837 ‘‘The Minister's Black Veil’’ was included in Twice Told Tales, a collection of short stories published under Hawthorne's own name.

The Minister's Black Veil: A Paradigm Summary

Part I: Hooper Dons the Veil
As the story opens, the congregation of a small church in Milford, Connecticut is arriving in their best clothes to attend Sunday service. The sexton, a person responsible for maintaining the church, is ringing the bell that announces the service will soon begin. His ringing stops abruptly when he is startled by the Reverend Mr. Hooper emerging from his quarters with a veil of black crepe that covers his whole face and leaves only his mouth and chin exposed.

In the minds of the parishioners, Mr. Hooper is a young and self-disciplined parson who has never acted irrationally before. They are bewildered by his present behavior, believing that either he has lost his wits or he has committed some terrible sin. An excited hush greets Mr. Hooper as he walks to the pulpit. He has never been a terribly effective orator, but, on this day, he delivers a sermon concerning ‘‘secret sins’’ that every man harbors and would hide from his fellow man and even God Himself. The congregation is dramatically moved by the combination of the sermon and the inexplicable black veil, each parishioner feeling as if Mr. Hooper has penetrated to his or her very soul. They cannot wait to flee the oppressive atmosphere of the church and feel the bright sunshine outside. No one wants to walk with Mr. Hooper, and one of the parishioners who always invites Mr. Hooper to dinner fails to do so on this occasion. As the Reverend Mr. Hooper enters his quarters he turns and casts a "sad smile'' on the curious congregation.

Part II: The Funeral and the Wedding
At the later service, the black veil has the same impact on the parishioners. After the service is over, Mr. Hooper officiates at the funeral of a young lady. When Hooper leans forward to utter some final words into the face of the deceased, the veil falls away, and he clutches it back into place as if afraid the corpse might see his features. One superstitious old lady swears that when he did this, she saw the corpse shudder. As the mourners leave the church, one of them looks back furtively, convinced that Hooper and the deceased were walking hand in hand, this eerie conviction seconded by others present.

Later that evening, one of the most popular couples in town is to celebrate their wedding. The parishioners anticipate the arrival of Parson Hooper, convinced that the earlier wearing of the veil was just a passing fancy, expecting that he would be his old mildly... » Complete The Minister's Black Veil: A Paradigm Summary