Chad Ludwick

ENGL 379
Prof. Friedman
September 23, 2015

The Veil

Belief and conviction, the lofty concepts that lay the framework of faith, are held and
expressed in countless ways. The prolific expansion of the major religions we find around the
world today can be attributed to the work of evangelical believers that have helped spread the
word of their respective faiths. The success of a cleric or minister is often measured by their
capacity to inspire a fear of god in their congregation through fervent sermons. This however is
not the only way to inspire belief. Nathaniel Hawthornes The Ministers Black Veil tells the tale
of a Mr. Hooper who attempts to reach the souls of his congregation in a unique way. Although
alone it carries little meaning alone, Mr. Hooper turns a simple black veil into an icon of sin
through his strict protocol of wearing it at all times, its mysterious unnerving effect on the
townspeople, and message of hidden sin that he continually attempts to connect with his
parishioners up until his death.
The introduction of the veil in the story coincides with the introduction of Mr. Hooper as
a character, The first glimpse of the clergymans figure was the signal for the bell to cease its
summons. But what has the good Parson Hooper got upon his face? cried the sexton in
astonishment (Hawthorne 569). His appearance immediately startles his congregation and even
leads them to question whether or not it is actually him. From this moment up to the end of the
story Mr. Hooper does not remove the veil from his face. The story expresses his determination

in a particularly strong way when Mr. Hooper refuses to remove the veil for his wife. He
explains to her why he must continue to wear it even when she insists that he take it off, Know,
then, this veil is a type and a symbol, and I am bound to wear it ever, both in light and darkness,
in solitude and before the gaze of multitudes This dismal shade must separate me from the
world (574). This discussion sheds light on Mr. Hoopers devotion to his cause but results in the
loss of his wife.
The veil is present in every scene which includes Mr. Hooper and persists to when he is
laying on his deathbed. When Reverend Clark attempts to remove the veil from Mr. Hoopers
face in the final moments of his life, Mr. Hooper responds, Never! cried the veiled clergyman.
On earth, never! (577). For reasons that are obviously grounded in devout faith, Mr. Hooper
never removes the veil. Its symbolic meaning is strengthened by his devotion even if his
message isnt completely received by his congregation. His presence in the story becomes
synonymous with the veil itself with his melancholic demeanor reflecting the dreary appearance
of the veil.
The erie effects that the veil has on the people of Mr. Hoopers congregation are noted
throughout the story. Hawthorne masterfully disguises the true meaning of the small piece of
crape shrouding the ministers face by having the town audience express various feelings of
discomfort and dread that they themselves cannot explain. The reactions to the veil are so varied
that they further muddle its intended purpose. At the very beginning of the story, onlookers make
blunt remarks to convey their confusion and discomfort, I cant really feel as if good Mr.
Hoopers face was behind that piece of crape... I dont like it,... Our parson has gone mad!
(569). The mystery of the veil and how it shrouds their respected ministers face is off putting
and sets in motion a development of fear within the hearts of the people when they see him.

These initial reactions speak to the image of the veil itself, but as the story progresses, so does
the depth of discomfort amongst the townspeople. They begin to avoid his visage, he could not
walk the street with peace of mind, so conscious was he that the gentle and timid would turn
aside to avoid him (575). Mr. Hooper essentially becomes the veil itself in the eyes of the
people in that he has become associated with dark mystery and the guilty conscious. While the
veil obviously reaches the people on a very intimate level, it is never clear whether the point of
the mask is ever truly realized by the people. Mr. Hoopers belief in his own message is what
drives him to begin wearing the veil but he may be the sole believer in its true purpose.
The responses from the townspeople are due in part to the calm and quiet method that Mr.
Hooper employs and the message he tries to deliver in his sermons, Mr. Hooper had a
reputation of a good preacher, but not an energetic one; he strove to win his people heavenward
by mild, persuasive influences (570). His first sermon contains the message that underlies the
entire story. He tries to make his congregation aware of their own secret sin and, with each
tremor of his melancholy voice, the hearers quaked (570). They evidently shudder at his words
but it doesnt seem to be due to the message. Their attention is focused on the veil and what they
see before them, a man who incarnates a deathly image.
The symbol of the veil turns Mr. Hooper into a haunting figure and enhances his ability to
reach the souls of his congregation, By the aid of his mysterious emblem - for there was no
apparent cause - he became a man of awful power over souls that were in agony of sin (575).
Mr. Hooper and his veil become a force that makes the people who look upon him think of death
and their deepest secrets. Where the veil falls short is in the face of ignorance within the
townspeople. Although they are deeply disturbed and even frightened by the veil, Mr. Hooper
does not see the desired outcome.

The townspeople speculate as to why the minister has decided to subject himself and the
crowd to the appearance of the veil. From ideas of madness to sinister corruption, they assume he
is doing it to punish himself. This is made plausible by his own fear of the veil, ...his own
antipathy to the veil was known to be so great, that he never willingly passed before a mirror, nor
stooped to drink at a still fountain (575). Mr. Hoopers fear of his own device prompts questions
of his past deeds and possible secret sin of his own. Regardless of his own views on the veil, it
becomes clear at the time of his death that Mr. Hooper is message did not come across.
Mr. Hooper uses the last of his strength to keep the other clergyman from removing the
veil and to express his disdain with the reaction he has received over the years, Why do you
tremble at me alone?... Tremble also at each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown
no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil?... treasuring up the secret sin;
then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived and die! (577). His words
strike terror into those around him and for good reason. In his last breath, the minister reveals
that the veil was meant to encourage those who saw it to face their sin and abolish it in the name
of sincere belief. However, this outcome unfortunately never came to be.
The story of Mr. Hoopers attempt to use a physical symbol to reach his audience is
difficult to label as either a tale of success or one of failure. In wearing the veil, Mr. Hooper
evidently becomes more revered by his congregation to the point of prompting fearful responses.
What can never be truly known is how deep that fear had gone. Whether or not the veil caused a
faithful introspection within the people during the minister's lifetime, it certainly became a
visible icon of sin. The general reaction of avoidance among the people and the ministers wifes
ultimate decision to leave are examples of how people try to push discomfort out of their lives
and minds. Unfortunately for Mr. Hooper, the fearful image that he becomes is too powerful in

that it blinds the people from seeing how they may rid themselves of secret sin and look
heavenward with a new fervent faith.