The Ministers Black Veil - Essay Example

The Minister’s Black Veil The story “The Minister’s Black Veil” has been written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The story reflects the occurrences of the life of a clergyman of a village whose name is Mr. Hooper. Hawthorne presents the change that occurs in the life of Mr. Hooper after he decides to wear a black veil and cover his entire face. It carries a theme of isolation as Mr. Hooper opts for a decision which makes him alone and separated from the other people. Mr. Hooper is a respected man in the village and people in the village consider his presence to be very important.

They look forward to his sermons and wish to walk with him when he exits the church. But the situation changes owing to just one small factor. Mr. Hooper starts wearing a black veil and his image is changed from a dignified person. People are scared of him and try to avoid him. They do not understand why he has worn the veil. The veil gives him a frightening appearance and it separates him from the entire society. Elizabeth was the lady he loved but she also deserts him owing to his refusal on taking off the veil.

He confides in Elizabeth that the veil also scares him but he has to keep on wearing it. The story has been written in a very intriguing way presenting a clear picture of all the emotions of the characters. It portrays the theme of human nature that one decision by a person can result in isolating him from the society. The black veil can be considered to be a symbol of a curtain used by Mr. Hooper to segregate him from the society. He may have opted for this decision to overcome some grief in his life or for the purpose of hiding himself owing to some sin that he may have done. Mr. Hooper is very determined and he does not take off the veil even when he is about to die.

This story reminds me of a woman who used to live in our neighborhood. She was a very lively young lady who was social and liked intermingling with people. She was outgoing and bold. She was liked by everyone in the neighborhood as she was very welcoming and was always ready to help everyone. She was a very sensible lady but an event changed her life. She was very attached to her family but her son passed away in an accident. The incident totally changed her and she was not the same woman that she used to be.

She stopped talking to everyone and locked herself in her house. She stopped going out and cut off all her social connections. Her life totally changed and she died a few years later. Her isolation is similar to the veil that was used by Mr. Hooper to segregate him from the society. Nathaniel Hawthorne has written the story in a brilliant way portraying the changes in the life of Mr. Hooper. It shows how he opts for living his life alone behind a veil. The people are scared of his new look but he continues this for his entire life.

Even when he is dying he requests that his veil should not be removed.