Symbolism In The Minister's Black Veil

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In Hawthorne’s “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Reverend Hooper dons a black veil that strikes fear into the heart of his church-goers and community—leading no one but his fiancée to enquire about its meaning. He refuses to tell her, resulting in her breaking of their engagement. He continues to wear the veil, subsequent to him becoming one of the most renowned ministers in New England. It is suggested that the veil may represent a secret sin—however this is never explicitly stated. Some say that it’s a symbol of how we as people will never truly know one another—how we all hold secrets in our hearts away from each other. On Hooper’s death bed, he is asked to finally remove the veil. Instead, he replies: "Why do you tremble at me alone? Tremble
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