A black veil symbolizes the gate between mortal life and the spiritual life. It is the wall that separates Minister Hooper and the rest of society. Why does Nathaniel Hawthorne choose to show his readers such self-imposed chastisement of the protagonist? Is Hawthorne criticizing the Puritan way of life? Evidence of cruelty within the Puritan society is one way Hawthorne disparages the Puritan culture. He also shows how judgmental the Puritan view of humanity really is. Fear of the unknown and death is unmistakably another tool that Hawthorne employs to criticize the Puritans in “The Minister’s Black Veil.” To further establish that “The Minister’s Black Veil” is evidence of Hawthorne’s disapproval of the Puritan culture, a comparison of Hawthorne’s tales prove helpful when a repetitive theme arises. The major theme in every case is the suffering and separation of the protagonist from the Puritan way of life due to the unfair rulings of such a society.

Hawthorne critic of the unkindness within the Puritan society is very subtle, but yet very clear. The main events of “The Minister’s Black Veil” revolve around the

The black veil is “…now an appropriate emblem” at the funeral of a young lady (Hawthorne 1283). The Puritan parishioners decide that the black veil is the symbol of secret sin, without once even asking Mr. Hooper the reasoning behind the veil. Hawthorne is not yet finished toiling with his readers’ minds. He further shows drama in the unfortunate incidence of a young girl’s funeral. Hawthorne describes Mr. Hooper’s actions from society’s point of view, and to the people Mr. Hooper seems as if he is talking to the dead young girl, and that her “corpse had slightly shuddered, rustling the shroud and muslin cap, though the countenance retained the composure of death.” It is not until the next sentence that Hawthorne disclaims the phenomenon by writing: “A superstitious old woman was the only witness of the prodigy” (Hawthorne 1283). Hawthorne describes the funeral of a young lady, which is a very sad and mournful circumstance, but yet the only subject discussed at this event is Mr. Hooper’s veil. As not to leave the reader unsatisfied, during the course of the funeral scene, Hawthorne twists the same story to enlighten the readers of the true meaning of the veil. When Mr. Hooper prays over the young lady, “The people trembled, though they but darkly understood him, when he prayed that they, and himself, and all of mortal race, might be ready, as he trusted this young maiden had been, for the dreadful hour that should snatch the veil from their faces” (Hawthorne 1283). So if they “darkly understood him” why the negativity? This is the question that Hawthorne wants his readers to ask themselves. The answer: the Puritan way of life is a cruel and hypocritical society.

Hawthorne does shine a light on Mr. Hooper when he introduces Elizabeth, who is the only rational Puritan character in the story. “…‘there is nothing terrible in this piece of crape, except that it hides a face which I am always glad to look upon… First lay aside your black veil: then tell me why you put it on.’” She is the only one to ask Mr. Hooper why he wears the veil, and she is the only one to realize that it is nothing but a black piece of crape. Mr. Hooper response to Elizabeth proves that Mr. Hooper is definitely a product of his society. He replies as follows: “‘This dismal shade must separate me from the world: even you, Elizabeth, can never come behind it!’ (Hawtho

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