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Essay On Symbolism In The Minister's Black Veil

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In the Minister’s Black Veil written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a clergyman in the deeply religious society of Puritan New England is finding himself at odds with the local community. Wearing a black veil that scares the local children and frightens those at a wedding, Father Hooper does not care to fit in with an earthly society. In Father Hooper’s eyes, the world is sinful and the Creator is sinless. As the Creator destines our afterlife, these Puritans must live their lives for him, and Father Hooper intends to do just this by separating himself from our earthly society. The veil of Father Hooper symbolizes a society on Earth which is sinful and rejects the laws of the Creator. As Mr. Hooper is speaking with Elizabeth who discourages …show more content…
As Father Hooper has frightened those such as the many children he has passed by,he has still smiled at the many children and pale visages that walk beside him. As Father Hooper has converted many laymen, he has brought them to be with God. According to Hawthorne, “Before he brought them to a celestial light, they had been with him behind the black veil.” As Father Hooper is not the only one behind the black veil as he is alongside with countless other sinners, Father Hooper’s black veil covers many sinners as well. As this black veil brought these sinners to a celestial light, the black veil was able to bring these sinners to a celestial light of Paradise where they can meet their Creator. Thus, as the black veil was only physically worn by Father Hooper, Father Hooper is the only one is the only one who people are frightened by. However, as there are others wearing this veil invisibly, the laypeople should be frightened by many others. Thus, Father Hooper is the only one who is willingly able to accept to society that he is a sinner. As sinners do not go to a celestial light, this veil frightens those who say to turn towards the celestial light of the Creator. As this veil covered sinners, this veil that Father Cooper was meant to frighten the common man over eternal

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