Minister's Black Veil Literary Analysis

American Romanticism: Literary Analysis of the Minister's Black Veil This essay discusses the American Romanticism that can be found within the Minister's Black Veil, as well as analyzing and going into further detail about this short story. I will analyze certain aspects of the story, dig deeper into a profound level of analysis of the main character, as well as list the common attributes that one might find in this type of writing that was composed in this time period. The American Romanticism, although also a bit similar to the Romantic movement that was happening in Europe, also had its own distinction that many different writers had helped to develop. This movement was happening during the 1820s throughout the 1860s, and right in the …show more content…
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?" (Page five) This is a prime example of natural goodness, or that man is inherently good in his natural form. The only thing that is amiss on Mr. Hooper's face is the very fact that there is a veil over his face, that doesn't allow the people around to be able to see his eyes, his expressions, the window to his inner thoughts. Perhaps that is the very reason that they, the people of his congregation and the citizens of the town are visibly phased by his new appearance. They can't tell what he is thinking, what his emotions are, what he truly means. They only have his mouth and the sound of his voice now to be able to communicate with him. The fact that he is not in his "natural state" is the reason why everyone is so uncomfortable around him now. They can't see the real Mr. Hooper. This simple cloth has somehow changed the perception of a good man, to a more ominous figure that no one wishes to be around. Like there is a secret that he hides, a sin so vile that he cannot bare to show his face. And yet, there is nothing different about him. He goes through the day with no difference, no change in attitude, towards people, his emotions, or actions. Still, the change in perspective of the holy man is no longer the same. Slowly, throughout the short story, people start to realize and become more …show more content…
The symbols in this story not only include the veil, but also the dark, gloomy, and brooding aura that it seems to bring along with it. The morality aspect of the story comes in at the very end, when Mr. Hooper is dying and all he sees are dark, judgmental people who are all under the same circumstance as he is. Which means that they are bare the same sin that he carries. That they should all be afraid of each other like they and others were afraid of him. Because every person carried their own sin, just like he

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