Like many American Renaissance writings, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s works are generally symbolic. The Scarlet Letter (1850) is one of the major symbolic novels of nineteenth century American literature, and Hawthorne often developed his short stories around a symbol. This is clearly the case in “The Minister’s Black Veil.”

When the Reverend Mr. Hooper first wears the veil, his parishioners think that it represents some secret sin or crime that the Reverend Mr. Hooper has committed. This impression in encouraged by Hawthorne’s footnote to the story concerning an actual person, the Reverend Mr. Joseph Moody of York, Maine, who wore a black veil because he accidentally killed a dear friend. Hawthorne explains that the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s veil has a different meaning, but the impression still remains that he is wearing it because of some secret sin or crime that he does not care to confess. Again, the sense of this is increased by the speculation that the young lady’s corpse shuddered when the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s veil fell forward over her as he bent over her coffin and also by the suggestion that the two mourners saw the minister’s and the maiden’s spirits walking hand in hand toward the graveyard.

It becomes clear in the interview with Elizabeth that while the veil may represent some secret sin or crime, for the Reverend Mr. Hooper its importance lies in its symbolic value, or the value that it has as a moral lesson to all. Throughout his life as well, the veil functions as precisely such a symbol, for it strikes terror in the hearts of sinners, and they hang on to life at the end until the Reverend Mr. Hooper can be by their side, for he knows they harbor sins and sorrows. At the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s death, the full symbolic significance of the veil is revealed as he says that he sees a veil on the face of all gathered around him. In this manner, Hawthorne’s symbolic style and technique are at the center of the development of the tale; yet the alternative significance of the veil as the representative of a specific crime or sin of the Reverend Mr. Hooper is also part of Hawthorne’s narrative technique.

Although the black veil is clearly a symbolic device, there is a strong suggestion in the story that it also hides a secret sin or crime committed by the Reverend Mr. Hooper. In addition, other details of the story seem to link him to the death of the young maiden. He conducts her funeral on the very day he first wears the veil, and there is the speculation that the maiden’s and the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s spirits are seen walking hand in hand. The effect of all this is to create in the reader the sense that he is being given clues to a puzzle that he can solve; that is, if he reads the story carefully, he may be able to discover exactly the nature of the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s sin or crime. As a result, the reader is drawn into the story and is given reason to read the story again and again. There is no answer to the puzzle, but the technique is effective and one that Hawthorne used in other stories, such as “Young Goodman Brown” and “Ethan Brand.”

Point of View

In "The Minister's Black Veil: A Parable," Reverend Mr. Hooper stuns his congregation in Milford, Connecticut, by appearing at Sunday services with a black veil covering his face. He continues to wear this veil for the remainder of his life and even insists on being buried with it. The narrative is delivered from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who recounts the story in the third person. This narrator is omniscient, meaning they possess an understanding of the characters' motivations that surpasses the characters' own awareness. Besides narrating events and dialogues, the narrator provides insight into the characters' thoughts and emotions. For instance, it is the narrator who discloses Hooper's horror when he sees his veiled reflection in a mirror while toasting a newlywed couple. Similarly, it is the narrator who describes Elizabeth's eventual revulsion and horror upon realizing that the veil will never be lifted from her beloved's face.

Occasionally, the narrator suggests how events should be interpreted. For example, when describing the corpse of a recently deceased young woman shuddering at the sight of Hooper's veiled face, the narrator implies skepticism by noting that "A superstitious old woman was the only witness of this prodigy."

Setting

The story takes place in the small town of Milford, Connecticut. Other than mentioning that the church and graveyard seem to encompass Hooper's entire world, the setting does not appear crucial to the story's significance. It is worth noting, however, that Hawthorne might have visited Milford while preparing to write Twice Told Tales, the collection of sketches that includes "The Minister's Black Veil." These collections of sketches or short stories were popular in nineteenth-century America, likely because their diverse and unique settings reflected the geographic and social diversity of the country itself.

Structure

The structure of "The Minister's Black Veil" can be divided into five distinct parts. The first part describes the congregation's reaction to Hooper's appearance in the black veil and the sermon he delivers. The second part recounts the events and atmosphere of the funeral and wedding that take place later that day. The third part details two attempts to get an explanation for the veil from Hooper, first by an authorized group of parishioners and then by Elizabeth. The fourth part summarizes Hooper's isolation and suffering as he lives out his life and approaches death. The fifth part is the deathbed scene, where Hooper hints at the veil's symbolism of "secret sin." This concept of secret sin in the final part mirrors the secret sin Hooper speaks about in his initial sermon. Thus, the structure of the story reinforces the interpretation of the veil's meaning.

Symbols/Symbolism

A symbol is an object that represents a tangible item while also embodying one or more abstract concepts. The black veil worn by Reverend Mr. Hooper perfectly exemplifies this definition. Characters in the story note that the veil is merely a piece of black crepe cloth. However, this simple cloth evokes a sense of dread in onlookers because it symbolizes deeper notions of death, mourning, and hidden secrets of the soul. As with many symbols, when the black veil is labeled as such, it begins to gather additional abstract meanings. Some critics interpret the black veil as a symbol of Original Sin and Hooper's excessive pride. Studying the black veil reveals its diverse symbolic meanings, making its significance not immediately clear. It becomes a symbol that, in one of its interpretations, reflects the concept of symbolism itself. Essentially, it turns into a symbol of symbols.

Figurative Language

Figurative language uses familiar terms to metaphorically convey unfamiliar ideas, unlike literal language, which uses precise terms to state exactly what is meant. Two examples from ‘‘The Minister's Black Veil’’ illustrate this difference. When Hooper runs away terrified from the wedding reception after seeing his reflection, Hawthorne writes, "For the earth, too, had on her Black Veil.’’ Hooper's literal veil covers his face, while the earth, enveloped in night, wears a figurative one. When Hooper denies Elizabeth's plea to remove the veil and explain its meaning, she says, "Your words are a mystery too ... Take away the veil from them, at least.'' Since he refuses to remove the literal veil from his face, she asks him, metaphorically, to unveil the hidden meaning of his words.

Parable

A parable is a brief tale that typically conveys a moral or religious lesson using easily understood terms. Hawthorne subtitles "The Minister's Black Veil’’ as ‘‘A Parable.’’ He adds a footnote mentioning another minister, Mr. Moody, who lived in York, Maine, about eighty years before the events of Hawthorne's story. Mr. Moody wore a black veil to symbolize his sorrow for accidentally causing a friend's death. Although Mr. Moody and Mr. Hooper's eccentric behaviors are similar, Hawthorne notes that the meanings of their veils are not. Hawthorne may be suggesting that the black veil as a symbol of secret sin is better understood when compared to the black veil as a symbol of the more comprehensible loss of a loved one.