Similarities Between The Minister's Black Veil And Sinners In The Hand Of An Angry God

When one has to grope for, and fumble for, the meaning of a tale, then there is “failure” in the work, as Henry James says. This unfortunately is the case of “The Minister’s Black Veil.” It is so ambiguous in so many occasions in the tale that a blur rather than a distinct image forms in the mind of the reader. The Norton Anthology: American Literature states in “Nathaniel Hawthorne”:

The minister they had once sought for comfort and solace has become a seductive, mysterious stranger with whom nobody can identify. The congregation feels as though Hooper can reach into their souls and see all the inadequacy and sin hidden within. As expressed in the story, "Each member of the congregation, the most innocent girl, and the man of most hardened breast felt as if the preacher had crept upon them, behind his awful veil, and discovered their hoarded iniquity of deed or thought." Because of his vow, the minister is forced into a life of solitude, forever lacking satisfaction and comfort.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's “ The Minister's Black Veil “ and Jonathan Edwards “ Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God” are writings that have much significance to religion, having a strong belief in god. “The Minister's black veil “ and “Sinners In The Hands of an angry god: may seem similar since they talk on the behalf of religion, they have differences such as the punishment, damnation, and who the sinners are. Edwards agrees that everyone is predestined and anyone no matter who you are can go to hell. However, Hawthorne believes that everyone carries a secret sin in their hearts and how terrible humans can be on the inside. These two authors have different ties but their main ideas still have ties.

In The Minister’s Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author seeks to convey that although all individuals are sinners, members of society will condemn those who seek to confront their own faults. This conclusion was drawn from the many motifs which relate to Puritan society, particularly the superstitions and Christian ideologies of many New Englanders during the 18th century. In this tale, Mr. Hooper’s donning of the black veil is viewed as a change which alters his countenance indefinitely; from the moment it is introduced, those who view it are awestruck. The mere sight of Mr. Hooper even acts as a “signal for the bell to cease its summons”. As murmurs spread throughout the congregation, Mr. Hooper preaches of “secret sin, and those

In “The Minister’s Black Veil,” Minister Hooper dons a black veil that causes an eruption of gossip in his community . The townspeople do not have any clue as to

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil," Mr. Hooper, a Reverend in the town of Milford, surprises his parishioners by donning a conspicuous black veil one Sunday. The town is visibly spooked, yet still curious, about his eerie appearance and profoundly affected by his sermon on secret sin. "A subtle power was breathed into his words. Each member of the congregation, the most innocent girl, and the man of hardened breast, felt as if the preacher had crept upon them, behind his awful veil, and discovered their hoarded iniquity of deed or thought" (2432). The parishioner's expect that Hooper will only don the veil for one day and then remove it, having used the visage to make his point on secret sin, but they are taken aback to

“The Minister’s Black Veil” seems like a moral allegory. Not just the veil but the act of wearing it is important. The veil also alienates the parson from people.

"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short story that was first published in the 1836 edition of the Token and Atlantic Souvenir and reappeared over time in Twice-Told Tales, a collection of short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The short story narrates the events following Reverend Mr. Hooper's decision to begin wearing a black veil that obscures his full face, except for his mouth and chin. Mr. Hooper simply arrives one day at the meeting house wearing the semi-transparent black veil and refuses from then on to take it of, leading to the loss of his fiancée and isolation form the world. He is even buried in the black veil. Yet, what is important to note are Mr. Hooper's last words to those

The two texts are both spoken in a godly way and they both present a life lesson to take hence to. Each author wrote a sermon, because they both intended to get their point across. The two authors are similar in ways but also have their own unique style of how they determine what is to be brought from their sermon. Both texts present a moral to life that all need to take into consideration.

In The Ministers Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author uses a black veil to symbolize multiple interpretations. Moreover, after reading the anecdote, the veil means something more than just a black veil hanging from the Ministers face, it’s something deeper and dark that’s hidden within the minister. The Minister wore the veil for his wrong doing, and somehow wanted people to know that he did something mischievous.

Both texts have one thing in common in their themes. They both talk about sin. “The Minister’s Black Veil” has a theme that is about everyone having a secret sin that they hide. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” has a theme that is about sinners provoking god and not

The short-story “The Minister’s Black Veil” speaks of hidden sins, which a man faces by covering his face with a black veil. Although today is a much different society, there are still many examples of hidden sins in our society. The song “Unforgiven” by Metallica speaks of many hidden sins committed by an individual; even though Hawthorne’s story and Metallica’s song were written over one hundred years apart, they both tackle the gloomy subject of hidden sins. In like manner, hidden sins still catches the attention of eager audiences even after many years. Put simply, hidden sins are still prominent and have a strong grip on lives and society, perhaps for man’s eternity.

The short story “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne follows the minister Mr. Hooper whose simple change in appearance alters the very nature of his existence in society till his death. While his decision to begin to wear a black veil over his face ostracizes him from society, it also turns him into a more influential clergyman. With the symbolism of the black veil and in a somber tone, Hawthorne makes a statement on the involvement of society in personal matters and the “black veil” that is present over the heart of every man, making the point that everyone is guilty of being sinful.

If we take “The Minister’s Black Veil” as a horror story, it leads us to certain conclusions about the nature of the veil and Hooper’s refusal to take it off. If horror is something that centers upon the horrifying or macabre, especially concerning the supernatural, one can see that this story could belong. Hooper never divulges the exact nature of the veil, and we are left to speculate about what it could possibly mean. Several possibilities present themselves if we think of this story as a horror story; it could be that the veil is covering Hooper’s face to be a constant reminder to his congregation and all who see him of secret sin. It seems that the idea that he could possibly know someone’s secret sin is terrifying to the townspeople. Indeed, this veil does give Hooper “awful power over souls that were in agony for sin” (943). Sinners fear him, because they feel that the black veil is a reference to their own personal secret sins. And the veil gives him an association with the dead and ghostly qualities; after the girl’s funeral at the beginning of the story, one woman remarks that she thought she saw Hooper walking hand in hand with the ghost of the dead girl. Such things would not have been imagined if he had never donned the veil.

On the other hand, this story is mainly about a highly respected minister in New England, named Reverend Hooper, who enters a church wearing a black veil, causing quit the confusion from his parishioners. He gave a ceremony about sins that people hide in their hearts, he did a funeral and a wedding, all while wearing the black veil, which made the people in the church upset that he would present himself like this. Everybody in town talks about it, but no one dared to ask why he did it, except his fiance. He told her “It’s a sign of his sorrows and he will not remove it”. The vail has caused many people of all age to be scared of him. Some feel as if their behind a veil with him as well, but others don't, just like how some of the dying sinners call out for him personally, and some don't. Mr.Hopper's fiancee broke off the engagement, but she still kept up with the happenings of him. Reverend became deathly ill. But even at his death bed he still refuses to remove the veil. He simply tells the crowd that they have avoided him and shown him no pity, just because he wore the black veil. He called them hypocrites even though they all wear black veils and shield their eyes from god to, just not physically. Mr.Hooper eventually dies, but is buried still wearing the black veil.