The Minister's Black Veil: A Paradigm Group

Question:

ebonymllr09
ebonymllr09
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Why doesn't Mr. Hooper remove the veil before he dies in "The Minister's Black Veil"?

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Posted by ebonymllr09 on Monday March 24, 2008 at 2:55 PM and tagged with the minister's black veil: a paradigm, theme.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Good question.  Look at his line late in the story: "Never!" cried the veiled clergyman. "On earth, never!"

     

    From some reason—some deep and mysterious reason—the veil has become an intense symbol for the minister. He's essentially sworn an oath to himself never to remove it, and thus to never stand bare-faced before the world, while he lives. It's taken on a spiritual significance; this is a veil that is also the veil of tears through which all mortal men must see the world. In a sense, he can't; he's admitted he's sinful, and so he must wear this as long as he breathes.

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    Posted by gbeatty on Monday March 24, 2008 at 6:28 PM