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Have you ever caught yourself trying to hide the truth from those most closest to you? Everyone has some dark secret to hide from the world, and it naturally wants to be buried. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Minister’s Black Veil, Mr. Hooper does the exact opposite by hiding his face with a black veil that shows his sin. This black covering is an emblem that represents not only his sin, but the sin of all who view it. There are three elements to the symbolism in the story; Rev Hooper, the black veil and his wife Elizabeth. Mr. Hooper “had the reputation of a good preacher” and was well liked by the community, that’s why his actions affected the community the most (1357). When he first wore the black veil the parishioners were amazed and startled, even though the cause “appears significantly slight” (1357). By hiding his face with the crape he outwardly hides sin, his face representing the hidden sin. The specific features of his face would then allude to the different aspects of the sin he hides. He is unable to look upon his face without “horror” and “his whole frame shudders” when he catches a glimpse of it (1360). Mr. Hooper being aware of the depravity of his soul only wishes to help others realize their own depraved nature.
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