Dec 26, 2009

The Minister's Black Veil: A Paradigm | Critical Overview

Criticism of "The Minister's Black Veil'' has mainly explored the meaning of the veil worn by the Puritan minister, the Reverend Mr. Hooper. Some see the veil as a physical reminder of a specific sin committed by Hooper. Others view Hooper as a Christian martyr wearing the emblem of Original Sin. Still others believe that Hooper's donning of the veil is a sin of pride. More recent criticism has focused on the veil as a ‘‘symbol of symbols,’’ a deliberate ambiguity that is not meant to be resolved, but only to call attention to itself.

In his portrayal of the isolated...