The Minister's Black Veil

This short story clearly demonstrates Hawthorne's fascination with the determination and devoutness of the Puritans. It is clear that the church is the center of Milford village. It must be a pure society if the minister's attire is the center of the town gossip. Mr. Hooper, for some unknown reason, wears a veil as punishment for some sin that he has committed. He feels that it is a sufficient offense that he should permanately isolate himself away from his congregation of faithful followers. Hooper felt that his sin was between himself and God. It would forever dwell in his heart, but he could tell no one of his sin. For years, he wore his veil and led the congregation in worship. People came from all over the colony just to see him preach. Many people felt that they had a metaphorical veil separating themselves from others because of a sin that made them feel isolated. After the initial period, his followers no longer asked questions of his veil. The Puritans did not ask questions about their religion. They basicly accepted everything verbatim from their pastor. Hawthorne exposes a flaw of the Puritans. He felt that they were too loyal to their own traditions and religion. They lacked the ability of free religious thinking. Anything not directly taught by the church was considered heretical. Puritans accepted what they heard. The Salem Witch Trials demonstrated what happened to Puritans who expressed individuality. No one really quesitioned the preacher out of fear. They demonstrate dog like loyalty and obedience. Curiosity must have been deemed dangerous by the church. They never even attempted to sneak a glance of his face, even after he died.

We get it, We need to trust ourself.

"Society everywhere is in a conspiracy against the manhood of everyone of its members. Society is a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs."

To be part of society, Emerson believed that one must sacrifice everything that distinguishes individuals. Society can make men lose what makes them human. It claims that is better to simply submit and secure a decent life. Just be like everyone else and you can have an average life. The folly of this is that man loses all self reliance. Man should use the natural right of liberty, but they simply refuse it. Society is the common way of life. It was the best way of living for a few influential people. Others were forced to conform their life to fit this mold. They no longer can choose the path of their life. It is predetermined and their bread is secure. If there was no society, people could live the life they wanted. All their decisions would be answered from within. Everyone would build a society for themselves. Emerson did not see this as a problem because the masses would be self reliant, dependent on no external instituions. This system has many flaws too. It would create anarchy because there would be many contrasting views. There are no restraining guides. Millions of personal societies and cultures would flourish. This system would revert back to the previous society. What is to stop people from imposing their beliefs on others? Isn't this how society was originally created?



"he dares not say "I think," "I am" but quotes some saint or sage. He is ashamed before the blade of grass or the blowing rose. These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God today"

Emerson calls man timid and afraid. They no longer trust themselves to speak their opinion. The self esteem of man is low as he seeks approval. Man can not simply express their ideas. They must quote a saint or sage in case the idea is rejected. Now, the saint's reputation is tarnished, but the man is still thought of the same. He simply presented a bad idea. Man also thinks that his ideas are insignificant and weak. Therefore, he must attach a sage to them to bolster importance. The sage will be considered even wiser, and the man will be praised for finding such a good argument. The sage or saint deserve no praise. The man is the one who composed the argument, but he must hide behind the past. Emerson claims that man is worst than nature. Man is constantly discussing past events. What is the point? There is no way to alter it. Man must live in the present. A rose can only be a rose. It does not hide behind anything. It does not speak of past beautiful roses like men do. Man must learn to exist in the present.