Danielle Norman. Professor Karsak. Enc 1102. March 19 2016.

Danielle Norman Professor Karsak ENC 1102 March 19 2016 Secret Sin Hidden Behind a Black Veil â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil†, Nathaniel Hawthorne tells the story of a parish pastor in Milford, New England. For unknown reasons, Parson Hooper has taken to wearing a dark veil on his face that covers all but his lips and chin. This veil immediately causes an uproar amongst the church members. Despite the fact that Parson Hooper’s behavior is largely the same, the people are genuinely shocked. Right away, they view this black veil as a sign the pastor is hiding a sinful secret. Parson Hooper goes onto preach a sermon that is similar to his usual sermons, but people find that it is suddenly more meaningful because of the veil. When finished, the†¦show more content†¦One woman even swears the corpse of the girl reacts to him. Hawthorne writes â€Å"Could Mr. Hooper be fearful of her glance, that he so hastily caught back the black veil?† Hawthorne uses the black veil to symbolize secret sin and its conseque nces (Emmett). This is reinforced by the fact that Parson Hooper’s sermon is all about that very topic. While Hawthorne never reveals what exactly Hooper’s sin was, he writes in a footnote about a Joseph Goody from York Maine who had died eighty years earlier. Goody had also covered his face with a black veil because he accidentally murdered his friend earlier in his life. (Hawthorne) This reveals that Parson Hooper is certainly hiding something, but at least it isn’t that he murdered someone. His fiancà ©e Elizabeth initially tries to reason with Hooper, hoping that she can get through to him. Or that he will at least remove the veil for her. Instead, he gives her vague answers and confirms that he will never take off the veil. Finally, the creepiness begins to affect Elizabeth and she leaves him. This is definitely symbolic of the consequences of sin. Parsons Hooper refuses honesty even to his own fiancà ©e and in return, he loses her. She asks him to at least explain why he cannot remove it, but he doesn’t give an answer instead he says â€Å"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,