Examples Of Alienation In The Minister's Black Veil

“The Minister’s Black Veil”
In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Hawthorne uses alienation to illustrate his sin and ambiguity. Hoopers wearing of the black veil was a representation for his isolation; it didn’t cause him his loneliness. The author uses the veil to help its readers see that Hooper became a lonely man after putting on the black veil. His parishioners weren’t accustomed to people who were or looked in, this case, different so the veil caused them to be alarmed. This resulted in Hooper no longer being invited to parties, Weddings, or any other fun exciting events because, the veil carried a sense of evilness and negativity around with it.
Hoopers wearing of the black veil was a representation for his isolation; it didn’t cause him his loneliness. The veil helps us see that Hooper is a lonely man. “Oh! you know how lonely I am, and how frightened to be alone behind my black veil. Do …show more content…
The minister smiles sadly because, it makes him wonder how a small physical symbol can separate two people who love each other. His own antipathy to the veil is so intense that he avoids mirrors or other reflecting surfaces. He becomes completely isolated. Still known as a gentle and loving man, he is not loved in return, only feared. During times of joy, he is not welcome. “ Thus, from beneath the black veil, there rolled a cloud into the sunshine, an ambiguity of sin or sorrow, which enveloped the poor minister, so that love and sympathy could never reach him.”. The veil was sort of like a shield, it enveloped him in such a way that he could no longer know what loved feeled like or could no longer gain sympathy. However, the veil has a deep influence on tormented souls, who feel the pastor can better sympathize with them. Even though the veil was used to hide a shameful sin, it at times was used to deliver sermons at funerals and comfort those with tormented

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Examples Of Alienation In The Minister's Black Veil