The Minister's Black Veil: A Paradigm | Essays and Criticism

  • Finding the Meaning of the Veil

    In the following essay, the author refutes popular interpretations of the veil in Hawthorne's story, suggesting that the meaning of the veil is not found by looking into it, but in looking out of it, as the character Hooper does.

  • The Artist's Symbol and Hawthorne's Veil: "The Minister's Black Veil" Resartus

    In the following excerpt, he offers his interpretation of the veil as a symbol of Hawthorne's own alienation as an artist and his ultimate failure of imagination.

  • The Minister's Black Veil

    In the following excerpt, Carnochan presents his interpretation of the veil as symbol, emphasizing that Hawthorne uses it in the story to explore the nature of all such symbols.

  • Ironic Unity in Hawthorne's 'The Minister's Black Veil

    In the following excerpt, Stibitz presents his interpretation of Hawthorne's handling of irony in the story, focusing on the Reverend Mr. Hooper's alienation from the rest of humankind.