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The Minister's Black Veil Literary Analysis

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In the parable, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” Nathaniel Hawthorne uses characteristics to show American Romanticism. Throughout the parable, Hathorne continues to use symbols to create the theme. Hawthorne portrays romanticism by utilizing Mr. Hooper who chooses to wear a veil until death. The most important symbol in “The Minister’s Black Veil,” is the veil itself. The Puritan community feels uncomfortable seeing Mr. Hooper wearing the black veil, but Mr. Hooper believes everyone should wear one, thus creating American Romanticism.
Throughout Hawthorne’s parable “The Minister's Black Veil,” he shows romanticism by addressing the reactions of the whole Puritan community and their concern about the wickedness of the black veil. Although the Puritan …show more content…
Hooper walked in with the veil and everybody’s expression changed instantly. On page 7, it states that, "When Mr. Hooper came, the first thing that their eyes rested on was the same horrible black veil, which had added deeper gloom to the funeral, and portend nothing but evil to the wedding" (Hawthorne 7). Although Mr. Hooper doesn't exactly tell us why he wears the black veil, the audience believes he has committed a sin. Once again, Mr. Hooper doesn’t care about the critics of the Puritans and continues on wearing the veil.
At one point, Mr. Hooper refuses to take off the veil even for his loved one, Elizabeth. "There is an hour to come," said he, "when all of us shall cast aside our veils. Take it not amiss, belove friend, if I wear this piece of crape till then." (Hawthorne 10).
The American Romanticism that Hawthorne describes, connects with the symbolism of the veil in a somewhat peculiar and unique way. For example, it states "Elizabeth, I will," said he, "so far as my vow may suffer me. Know, then, this veil is a type and a symbol, and I am bound to wear it ever, both in light and darkness, solitude and before the gaze of multitudes, and as with strangers, so with my familiar friends. No mortal eyes will see it withdrawn. This dismal shade must separate me from the world: even you, Elizabeth, can never come behind it!"(Hawthorne

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