The Minister's Black Veil: A Paradigm Group

Question:

ronea
ronea
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In the story "The Minister's Black Vei"l, How does the major symbol in the story quide people to the major theme?

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Posted by ronea on Thursday April 3, 2008 at 4:47 PM and tagged with symbol, the minister's black veil: a paradigm, theme.

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  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The major symbol in the story is the black veil that Rev. Hooper puts on his face. By looking at Hooper's actions and the description of the veil itself, the reader can be guided to the major theme of the "secret sin" in every person. The subject of Hooper's sermon on the first day he wears the veil is that of "secret sin". The veil itself obscures Hooper's face, thus adding to the mystery surrounding the veil. Although we never know exactly why Hooper wore the veil, that sense of ambiguity adds to the story. We never really know other peoples' secret sins, either, but we do know they have them. Ironically, by wearing the veil, Hooper draws attention to his own "secret sin", and it separates him from other people, especially Elizabeth---just as secret sin does in the real world.

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Monday August 4, 2008 at 9:46 PM