When was ministers black veil written

But there was something, either in the sentiment of the discourse itself, or in the imagination of the auditors, which made it greatly the most powerful effort that they had ever heard from their pastor's lips. It was tinged, rather more darkly than usual, with the gentle gloom of Mr. Hooper's temperament. The subject had reference to secret sit, and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and dearest and would fain conceal from our own consciousness, even forgetting that the Omniscient can de tect them.

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.

Many spread their clasped hands on their bosoms. There was nothing terrible in what Mr. Hooper said, at least no violence; and yet, with every tremor of his melancholy voice, the hearers quaked. An unsought pathos came hand in hand with awe. So sensible were the audience of some unwonted attribute in their minister, that they longed for a breath of wind to blow aside the veil, almost believing that a stranger's visage would be discovered, though the form, gesture, and voice were those of Mr.

At the close of the services, the people hurried out with indecorous confusion, eager to communicate their pent-up amazement, and conscious of lighter spirits the moment they lost sight of the black veil. Some gathered in little circles, huddled closely together, with their mouths all whispering in the center; some went homeward alone, wrapt in silent meditation; some talked loudly, and profaned the Sabbath day with ostentatious laughter.

A few shook, their sagacious heads, intimating that they could penetrate the mystery; while one or two affirmed that there was no mystery at all, but only that Mr. Hooper's eyes were so weakened by the midnight lamp as to require a shade.

After a brief interval, forth came good Mr. Hooper also, in the rear of his flock. Turning his veiled face from one group to another, he paid due reverence to the hoary heads, saluted the middle-aged with kind dignity as their friend and spiritual guide, greeted the young with mingled authority and love, and laid his hands on the little children's heads to bless them.

Such was always his custom on the Sabbath day. Strange and bewildered looks repaid him for his courtesy. None, as on former occasions, aspired to the honor of walking by their pastor's side. Old Squire Saunders, doubtless by an accidental lapse of memory, neglected to invite Mr. Hooper to his table, where the good clergyman had been wont to bless the food, almost every Sunday since his settlement. He returned, therefore, to the parsonage, and, at the moment of closing the door, was observed to look back upon the people, all of whom had their eyes fixed upon the minister.

A sad smile gleamed faintly from beneath the black veil, and flickered about his mouth, glimmering as he disappeared. Hooper's face. The black veil, though it covers only our pastor's face, throws its influence over his whole person, and makes him ghostlike from head to foot.

Do you not feel it so? I wonder he is not afraid to be alone with himself! The afternoon service was attended with similar circumstances. At its conclusion, the bell tolled for the funeral of a young lady. The relatives and friends were assembled in the house, and the more distant acquaintances stood about the door, speaking of the good qualities of the deceased, when their talk was interrupted by the appearance of Mr.

Hooper, still covered with his black veil. It was now an appropriate emblem. The clergyman stepped into the room where the corpse was laid, and bent over the coffin, to take a last farewell of his deceased parishioner. As he stooped, the veil hung straight down from his forehead, so that, if her eyelids had not been dosed forever, the dead maiden might have seen his face.

Could Mr. Hooper be fearful of her glance, that he so hastily caught back the black veil? A person who watched the interview between the dead and the living scrupled not to affirm, that, at the instant when the clergyman's features were disclosed, the corpse had slightly shuddered, rustling the shroud and muslin cap, though the countenance retained the composure of death.

A superstitious old woman was the only witness of this prodigy. From the coffin Mr. Hooper passed into the chamber of the mourners, and thence to the head of the staircase, to make the funeral prayer.

It was a tender and heart-dissolving prayer, full of sorrow, yet so imbued with celestial hopes, that the music of a heavenly harp, swept by the fingers of the dead, seemed faintly to be heard among the saddest accents of the minister.

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.

The bearers went heavily forth, and the mourners followed, saddening all the street, with the dead before them, and Mr. Hooper in his black veil behind. That night, the handsomest couple in Milford village were to be joined in wedlock. Though reckoned a melancholy man, Mr. Hooper had a placid cheerfulness for such occasions, which often excited a sympathetic smile where livelier merriment would have been thrown away.

There was no quality of his disposition which made him more beloved than this. The company at the wedding awaited his arrival with impatience, trusting that the strange awe, which had gathered over him throughout the day, would now be dispelled.

But such was not the result. 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 could portend nothing but evil to the wedding.

Such was its immediate effect on the guests that a cloud seemed to have rolled duskily from beneath the black crepe, and dimmed the light of the candles. The bridal pair stood up before the minister.

But the bride's cold fingers quivered in the tremulous hand of the bridegroom, and her deathlike paleness caused a whisper that the maiden who had been buried a few hours before was come from her grave to be married. The only one with a enough courage to confront him is his fiance, but he won't tell even her why he wears the veil. I have to say, I liked this one far more than Young Goodman Brown. It was written simplistically but artfully. The grammar and tone was easy to read and follow through out the story.

The plot was also very interesting and engaging. Not only was the plot enjoyable, but there was interesting subtext. There was a moral that was easy to understand and didn't leave you sitting there staring at the page in an attempt to figure it out. I'd highly recommend this story to any English majors or those considering majoring in English. Jan 08, Laura marked it as to-read Shelves: fictionth-century , american-fiction , e-books , gutenberg , novellas , short-stories , gothic-romance.

Free download available at Project Gutenberg. Howe's Masquerade II. Lady Eleanore's Mantle IV. Dec 21, Marc rated it it was ok Shelves: gothic. Small novella from Completely matching the Gothic genre and thus with exaggerated drama. Yet it works, because the veil minister Hooper carries his whole life in front of his face, is such a powerful symbol for mystery, darkness, the dark and sinful side of life and so injesting absolute fear into everyone around him.

In this short story we see also a foreshadowing of Kafka. I think it's about time that I read "the Scarlet Letter", Hawthorne's masterpiece. Oct 23, Kathrin rated it really liked it Shelves: audiobook , short-stories-novellas , classics. Great short story that took me back to The Scarlett Letter. Apr 30, Paquita Maria Sanchez rated it it was ok Shelves: literature.

As usual, boring enough to leave me wondering why Hawthorne incessantly uses so many exclamation points. I don't know what he's so excited about. View 1 comment. Dec 10, Kathy rated it liked it. Great atmosphere, a creepy little story. Dec 24, notyourfriend rated it it was amazing Shelves: indescribably-awesome-fav-s-fav , suprisingly-good-great , nowords-amazing , alove-haterelationshipwith , read-in-school-involuntary. This was surprisingly good. It made a great, realistic point,even though it was depressing.

Feb 06, Michaela rated it liked it Shelves: american-lit , classics. I had to read this short story for my American Lit class, and, I must say, I enjoyed it! It was thoroughly intriguing, and I was drawn in from the beginning. So, yes, I quite liked my introduction to Hawthorne.

Dec 17, Italia rated it really liked it Shelves: forced-reads. This is probably one of the most boring short stories a person could have to read, especially at the crack of dawn. But I did it, and the theme was worth the boredom. The meaning is quite clear and builds throughout the tale. A minister wears a veil. He is judged. His corpse disintegrates.

The end. It's simple enough, but the premise is a beautiful, pessimistic view of what everyone deals with thr This is probably one of the most boring short stories a person could have to read, especially at the crack of dawn.

It's simple enough, but the premise is a beautiful, pessimistic view of what everyone deals with throughout their lives. It's one of the few realistic explanations of the inferiority complex we are all burdened with during what is typically a Transcendental period of the positive view of humanity' s capabilities.

We have a masquerade a spectacular song in The Phantom of the Opera but live in the quiet desperation that people will change their judgmental attitudes so we may release our own veils. Unfortunately, the minister did not achieve his goal. Nothing struck me as wrong writing-wise; Hawthorne seems dandy in that department.

Nothing stuck out to me as particularly interesting or good though, either. However, I am fascinated with the psychology incorporated in his story-telling that is much ahead of its time. He is a writer that makes you think more about the contents than the story and how its theme has affected you every day.

We cover ourselves in a veil, and people are afraid of it because it represents their own inaction. Sometimes we release our veils, but not often. When we do something we love in the minster's case, preach; in mine, perform , we release our veils. It can be a terrifying experience because of the vulnerability, but the world can be changed if one gives another a chance.

Thanks to all who have ever listened to me sing. Feb 04, Larissa Cavazos rated it did not like it Shelves: short-stories. The black veil is a Nathaniel Hawthorne's story of sin. The main character, a reverend was a common loved man who turned to a man that wore a veil. As the story develops and the people of the town get used to him denying to take it off, the revend dies.

The only explanation given from him was that his veil was a mask to his sin, and just like him, everybody had one. The possible intentions that Hawthorne had were to give knowledge that everyone has a something to hide. For everyone each secret i The black veil is a Nathaniel Hawthorne's story of sin. For everyone each secret is different but that doesn't make it unrealistic. Sep 14, Ann T rated it really liked it Shelves: zclassics-book-club , classics , short-stories , religious , fiction , suspense , zclassics-buffet-challenge.

While reading it, I actually thought that he wore the mask as a symbol for all his parishioners to rebuke their sins and be clean. I did not think it was his sins. It definitely had an effect on people while more came to his sermons from outside his town just to see his veil. I also thought his sermons where well more received. Aug 09, S. Kercenna rated it liked it Shelves: , short-stories. Hawthorne's arguably greatest short-story begins when Rev. Hooper appears one fine morning in the church wearing a black veil over his face; a veil he will never take off again.

His congregation gasp in surprise. Soon curiosity replaces surprise. Suspicion comes next. Afterwards, it's gossip, accusations, distaste, and then social isolation. The narrative offers no clue on why did the minister wear the veil or what did the whole thing signify. The readers are left to ponder the mystery unaide Hawthorne's arguably greatest short-story begins when Rev.

The readers are left to ponder the mystery unaided to the best of their abilities. The veil can be a sign of strict Calvinism and a tortured consciousness. It can also represent an act of self-isolation in repentance from a sin. In a supernatural reading of the tale, it might indicate a demonic manifestation which the parson had sought to conceal.

A more rational interpretation may suggest a skin-rash due to syphilis which the reverend wanted to hide since it would have betrayed a sexual trespass on his part. The possibilities are truly countless.. But the congregation's response is as intriguing as the minister's behavior.

A mere piece of black crepe had been enough to alter their views and feelings in regard to a man they so much revered and admired. Is it because wearing that veil had reminded them of Man's duality. Very probable! We are speaking here of New Englanders; a strict community founded on dichotomy.

Their conception of a minister allowed no trespass on his part. He was supposed to be either good or evil, but not both! Another possibility is that the veil had been the constant reminder of that which they sought to forget about themselves.

We are all shadow and persona , and we all strive to hide the darkest sides of our characters and burry them where no one else could ever find them. The veil in this case is a constant reminder of sins and deeds that these people wanted to forget and burry in oblivion.

No answer is final or definite in this tale. Only read it and think of your own. Jul 26, M. It later appeared in Twice-Told Tales, a collection of short stories by Hawthorne published in What is the secret sin in The Minister's Black Veil? What was your first reaction to the Minister's Black Veil? The reaction to the minister's veil is one of annoyance and fear, "'I don't like it,' muttered an old woman, as she hobbled into the meetinghouse. Why does the minister wear the black veil?

Why does Mr Hooper refuses to remove the veil? Hooper to remove his veil because there may be "whispers" that he hides "under the consciousness of secret sin" rather than the "type of an innocent sorrow," as he claims, the minister smiles a sad, obscure smile and responds, "There is an hour to come," said he, "when all of us shall cast aside our veils. The story focuses on a minister in a New England parish. The story is thought to be set in the first half of the eighteenth century, before the so-called Great Awakening of the s and s, when American ministers put more emphasis on individual sin and the need for redemption.

Mr Hooper, a minister in the town of Milford, Connecticut, shocks his parishioners one Sunday when he turns up to deliver his sermon wearing a black veil. This veil, which is semi-transparent, largely obscures much of his face, leaving only his mouth fully visible. His parishioners are amazed by this, and start to chatter about why he has started wearing such a veil. After the sermon, Hooper continues to wear the veil while officiating at the funeral of a young woman, and then, the same night, at a wedding.

Nobody dares to confront Mr Hooper about his sudden decision to start concealing himself behind the black veil — except one person, his wife-to-be, Elizabeth. However, the minister refuses to tell her any precise reason why he is wearing it, only that he is resolved to wear it and never lift it until his dying day. When Elizabeth asks him to lift it for her, he refuses, and she leaves him, breaking off their engagement.

Then he, too, lies on his death bed, surrounded by other holy men and by his patient wife, Elizabeth, who has refused to wash her hands of him altogether and now sits tenderly nursing him in his dying moments. As the minister is about to die, one of the men gathered around his death bed, Reverend Mr. Clark, tries to persuade him to lift the black veil from his face while the last rites are delivered.