A Parable

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The sexton1 stood in the porch of Milford meetinghouse,

“The Minister’s Black Veil” is pulling lustily at the bell rope. The old people of the village
subtitled “A Parable.” A came stooping along the street. Children, with bright faces,
parable is a short story that
teaches a moral lesson. tripped merrily beside their parents, or mimicked a graver gait,
in the conscious dignity of their Sunday clothes. Spruce2 bach-
elors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens, and fancied that the
Pause at line 11. Who is Mr. Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on weekdays. When
Hooper?
the throng had mostly streamed into the porch, the sexton

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began to toll the bell, keeping his eye on the Reverend Mr.
10 Hooper’s door. The first glimpse of the clergyman’s figure was
the signal for the bell to cease its summons.
“But what has good Parson Hooper got upon his face?”
cried the sexton in astonishment.
All within hearing immediately turned about, and beheld
the semblance of Mr. Hooper, pacing slowly his meditative3 way
Underline the lines on this toward the meetinghouse. With one accord they started, express-
page that give the first hint
that something is wrong ing more wonder than if some strange minister were coming to
with Mr. Hooper. dust the cushions of Mr. Hooper’s pulpit.

semblance (s¥m√bl¥ns) n.:

1. sexton n.: church officer or employee whose duties may include
outward appearance.
maintenance, ringing the bells, and digging graves.
2. spruce adj.: neat in appearance.
3. meditative adj.: deeply thoughtful.

98 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 “Are you sure it is our parson?” inquired Goodman4 Gray
20 of the sexton.
“Of a certainty it is good Mr. Hooper,” replied the sexton. Re-read lines 25-32. Circle
the words that describe how
“He was to have exchanged pulpits with Parson Shute of
Mr. Hooper’s appearance has
Westbury; but Parson Shute sent to excuse himself yesterday, changed.

being to preach a funeral sermon.”

The cause of so much amazement may appear sufficiently
slight. Mr. Hooper, a gentlemanly person of about thirty, though Read the boxed passage
still a bachelor, was dressed with due clerical neatness, as if a aloud two times. Punctuation
clues indicate when to pause
careful wife had starched his band, and brushed the weekly dust briefly (commas), and when
to pause longer (periods).
from his Sunday’s garb. There was but one thing remarkable in
Which sentence would you
30 his appearance. Swathed about his forehead, and hanging down emphasize in your reading?

over his face, so low as to be shaken by his breath, Mr. Hooper

had on a black veil. On a nearer view, it seemed to consist of two
folds of crape,5 which entirely concealed his features, except the
mouth and chin, but probably did not intercept his sight, farther
than to give a darkened aspect to all living and inanimate6
things. With this gloomy shade before him, good Mr. Hooper Pause at line 48. What do the
congregation’s comments
walked onward, at a slow and quiet pace, stooping somewhat reveal about the veil’s effect?
and looking on the ground, as is customary with abstracted7
men, yet nodding kindly to those of his parishioners who still
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40 waited on the meetinghouse steps. But so wonder-struck were

they, that his greeting hardly met with a return.
“I can’t really feel as if good Mr. Hooper’s face was behind
that piece of crape,” said the sexton.
“I don’t like it,” muttered an old woman, as she hobbled
into the meetinghouse. “He has changed himself into something
awful, only by hiding his face.”
“Our parson has gone mad!” cried Goodman Gray, follow-
ing him across the threshold.

4. Goodman: form of polite address similar to mister.

5. crape n.: kind of black cloth worn as a sign of mourning; from the
French word crêpe.
6. inanimate adj.: lifeless.
7. abstracted adj.: lost in thought.

The Minister’s Black Veil 99

 A rumor of some unaccountable phenomenon had pre-
50 ceded Mr. Hooper into the meetinghouse, and set all the congre-
Underline the words and gation astir. Few could refrain from twisting their heads toward
phrases that describe how the door; many stood upright, and turned directly about; while
people react to Mr. Hooper’s
appearance (lines 49-57). several little boys clambered upon the seats, and came down
again with a terrible racket. There was a general bustle, a rustling
of the women’s gowns and shuffling of the men’s feet, greatly at
Underline or highlight the variance8 with that hushed repose which should attend the
words that describe how Mr. entrance of the minister. But Mr. Hooper appeared not to notice
Hooper acts when he enters
the church (lines 57-62). the perturbation9 of his people. He entered with an almost
noiseless step, bent his head mildly to the pews on each side, and
60 bowed as he passed his oldest parishioner, a white-haired
great-grandsire, who occupied an armchair in the center of the
obscurity (¥b · skyØr√¥ · t≤)
n.: darkness. aisle. It was strange to observe, how slowly this venerable man

Obscurity is more often used

became conscious of something singular in the appearance of
to mean “state of being not his pastor. He seemed not fully to partake of the prevailing won-
well-known or famous.”
der, till Mr. Hooper had ascended the stairs, and showed himself
in the pulpit, face to face with his congregation, except for the
black veil. That mysterious emblem was never once withdrawn.
Read lines 77-87 carefully.
It shook with his measured breath as he gave out the psalm; it
What is the minister’s usual
style of preaching? Is he threw its obscurity between him and the holy page, as he read
using the same style now?

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70 the Scriptures; and while he prayed, the veil lay heavily on his up-
lifted countenance. Did he seek to hide it from the dread Being
whom he was addressing?
Such was the effect of this simple piece of crape, that
more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the
meetinghouse. Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was
almost as fearful a sight to the minister, as his black veil to them.
Mr. Hooper had the reputation of a good preacher, but not
an energetic one: He strove to win his people heavenward, by
mild persuasive influences, rather than to drive them thither, by
80 the thunders of the Word. The sermon which he now delivered,

8. at variance: not in agreement.

9. perturbation n.: state of alarm.

100 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 was marked by the same characteristics of style and manner, as
the general series of his pulpit oratory. But there was something, Notes
either in the sentiment of the discourse itself, or in the imagina-
tion 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
sin, and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and
dearest, and would fain conceal from our own consciousness,
90 even forgetting that the Omniscient10 can detect them. A subtle
power was breathed into his words. Each member of the congre-
gation, 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.
Underline the subject of
An unsought pathos11 came hand in hand with awe. So sensible Mr. Hooper’s sermon (lines
were the audience of some unwonted attribute in their minister, 82-90).

100 that they longed for a breath of wind to blow aside the veil,
almost believing that a stranger’s visage12 would be discovered,
Fain (f†n) in line 89 is an
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

though the form, gesture, and voice were those of Mr. Hooper. old-fashioned word that
means “with eagerness”
At the close of the services, the people hurried out with or “gladly.”
indecorous13 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, hud-
dled closely together, with their mouths all whispering in the Why is the congregation so
moved and upset? Re-read
center; some went homeward alone, wrapped in silent medita- lines 91-94, and underline
the reasons.
tion; some talked loudly, and profaned14 the Sabbath day with
110 ostentatious laughter. A few shook their sagacious heads,

iniquity (i · nik√wi · t≤) n.:

wickedness.
10. the Omniscient: the all-knowing God.
11. pathos n.: feelings of pity, sympathy, and sorrow. ostentatious (äs≈t¥n · t†√◊¥s)
12. visage n.: face. adj.: deliberately attracting
13. indecorous adj.: improper; lacking good taste. notice.
14. profaned v.: showed disrespect for. sagacious (s¥ · g†√◊¥s) adj.:
wise; keenly perceptive.

The Minister’s Black Veil 101

 intimating15 that they could penetrate the mystery; while one or
two affirmed that there was no mystery at all, but only that Mr.
Re-read lines 115-126, and Hooper’s eyes were so weakened by the midnight lamp, as to
circle the four things that
require a shade. After a brief interval, forth came good Mr.
Mr. Hooper does after the
sermon. How do the parish- Hooper also, in the rear of his flock. Turning his veiled face from
ioners react to his actions?
one group to another, he paid due reverence to the hoary16 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
120 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 pas-
tor’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 wont17 to bless the food, almost
every Sunday since his settlement. He returned, therefore, to the
Pause at line 131. Do you
think Mr. Hooper knows he parsonage, and, at the moment of closing the door, was observed
has upset the members of his
to look back upon the people, all of whom had their eyes fixed
church? Explain.
upon the minister. A sad smile gleamed faintly from beneath the
130 black veil, and flickered about his mouth, glimmering as he dis-
appeared.

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“How strange,” said a lady, “that a simple black veil, such as
any woman might wear on her bonnet, should become such a
terrible thing on Mr. Hooper’s face!”
“Something must surely be amiss with Mr. Hooper’s intel-
lects,” observed her husband, the physician of the village. “But
the strangest part of the affair is the effect of this vagary,18 even
on a sober-minded man like myself. The black veil, though it
covers only our pastor’s face, throws its influence over his whole
140 person, and makes him ghostlike from head to foot. Do you not
feel it so?”
Pause at line 141. What
effect does the veil have on
the minister’s appearance, 15. intimating v. used as adj.: indirectly suggesting.
according to the village 16. hoary adj.: white or gray, as with age.
physician? Underline his 17. wont adj.: accustomed.
description of the veil’s 18. vagary n.: odd, unexpected action.
impact.

102 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 “Truly do I,” replied the lady; “and I would not be alone
with him for the world. I wonder he is not afraid to be alone
with himself!” Re-read lines 155-164. What
“Men sometimes are so,” said her husband. did Mr. Hooper do when his
veil swung forward while
The afternoon service was attended with similar circum- praying with the corpse?
What did an observer say
stances. At its conclusion, the bell tolled for the funeral of a happened then?
young lady. The relatives and friends were assembled in the
house, and the more distant acquaintances stood about the
150 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 closed 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
160 living, scrupled19 not to affirm, that, at the instant when the
clergyman’s features were disclosed, the corpse had slightly
shuddered, rustling the shroud20 and muslin cap, though the
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countenance retained the composure of death. A superstitious According to lines 166-170,

old woman was the only witness of this prodigy.21 From the cof- what was Mr. Hooper’s
prayer like?
fin, 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 celestial22 hopes, that the music of a heavenly harp,
swept by the fingers of the dead, seemed faintly to be heard
170 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

19. scrupled v.: hesitated.

20. shroud n.: cloth used to wrap a body for burial.
21. prodigy n.: something extraordinary or inexplicable.
22. celestial adj.: heavenly.

The Minister’s Black Veil 103

 trusted this young maiden had been, for the dreadful hour that
should snatch the veil from their faces. The bearers went heavily
In lines 177-181, two mourn- forth, and the mourners followed, saddening all the street, with
ers comment that they imag- the dead before them, and Mr. Hooper in his black veil behind.
ined Mr. Hooper and the
deceased young woman “Why do you look back?” said one in the procession to his
walking hand and hand in
spirit. What larger meaning
partner.
might this image have? “I had a fancy,” replied she, “that the minister and the
180 maiden’s spirit were walking hand in hand.”
“And so had I, at the same moment,” said the other.
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 dis-
position 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
190 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.

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Such was its immediate effect on the guests, that a cloud seemed
to have rolled duskily from beneath the black crape, and
dimmed the light of the candles. The bridal pair stood up before
the minister. But the bride’s cold fingers quivered in the tremu-
lous23 hand of the bridegroom, and her deathlike paleness
caused a whisper, that the maiden who had been buried a few
200 hours before, was come from her grave to be married. If ever
another wedding were so dismal, it was that famous one, where
portend (pôr · tend√) v.: they tolled the wedding knell.24 After performing the ceremony,
signify.
Mr. Hooper raised a glass of wine to his lips, wishing happiness
to the new-married couple, in a strain of mild pleasantry that
ought to have brightened the features of the guests, like a cheer-
Pause at line 200. How does
the veil affect people at the
wedding? Underline the 23. tremulous adj.: trembling.
answer. 24. If . . . wedding knell: reference to Hawthorne’s story “The Wedding
Knell.” A knell is the ringing of a bell.

104 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 ful gleam from the hearth. At that instant, catching a glimpse of
his figure in the looking glass, the black veil involved his own
spirit in the horror with which it overwhelmed all others. His
frame shuddered—his lips grew white—he spilt the untasted Why does Mr. Hooper flee
from the reception (lines
210 wine upon the carpet—and rushed forth into the darkness. For 206-210)? Underline the
cause.
the Earth, too, had on her Black Veil.
The next day, the whole village of Milford talked of little
else than Parson Hooper’s black veil. That, and the mystery con-
What is being personified in
cealed behind it, supplied a topic for discussion between lines 210-211? What is
referred to as “Earth’s black
acquaintances meeting in the street, and good women gossiping
veil”?
at their open windows. It was the first item of news that the tav-
ern keeper told to his guests. The children babbled of it on their
way to school. One imitative little imp covered his face with an
old black handkerchief, thereby so affrighting his playmates, that
220 the panic seized himself, and he well nigh lost his wits by his
own waggery.25
It was remarkable, that, of all the busybodies and imperti-
nent people in the parish, not one ventured to put the plain The word wherefore (line
question to Mr. Hooper, wherefore he did this thing. Hitherto, 224) is no longer in common
use. It means “why.”
whenever there appeared the slightest call for such interference,
he had never lacked advisers, nor shown himself averse to be
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guided by their judgment. If he erred at all, it was by so painful a Think back on Mr. Hooper’s
degree of self-distrust, that even the mildest censure26 would behavior so far in this story.
Why do you think he begins
lead him to consider an indifferent action as a crime. Yet, though wearing the veil?
230 so well acquainted with this amiable27 weakness, no individual
among his parishioners chose to make the black veil a subject of
friendly remonstrance.28 There was a feeling of dread, neither
plainly confessed nor carefully concealed, which caused each to
shift the responsibility upon another, till at length it was found
What does the congregation
expedient to send a deputation29 of the church, in order to deal do to address the problem of
the veil (lines 232-237)?
with Mr. Hooper about the mystery, before it should grow into a
scandal. Never did an embassy so ill discharge its duties. The

25. waggery n.: joke.

26. censure n.: expression of strong disapproval or criticism.
27. amiable adj.: friendly; likable.
28. remonstrance n.: protest; complaint.
29. deputation n.: group of representatives.

The Minister’s Black Veil 105

 minister received them with friendly courtesy, but became silent,
after they were seated, leaving to his visitors the whole burden of
Re-read lines 240-246, and 240 introducing their important business. The topic, it might be
circle what the veil has come supposed, was obvious enough. There was the black veil,
to symbolize to the people
of the church. swathed round Mr. Hooper’s forehead, and concealing every fea-
ture above his placid mouth, on which, at times, they could per-
ceive the glimmering of a melancholy smile. But that piece of

Pause at line 253. Was the

crape, to their imagination, seemed to hang down before his
delegation successful in their heart, the symbol of a fearful secret between him and them.
mission? Why or why not?
Were the veil but cast aside, they might speak freely of it, but not
till then. Thus they sat a considerable time, speechless, confused,
and shrinking uneasily from Mr. Hooper’s eye, which they felt to
250 be fixed upon them with an invisible glance. Finally, the deputies
returned abashed to their constituents, pronouncing the matter
too weighty to be handled, except by a council of the churches,
if, indeed, it might not require a general synod.30
But there was one person in the village, unappalled by the
awe with which the black veil had impressed all beside herself.
When the deputies returned without an explanation, or even
venturing to demand one, she, with the calm energy of her char-
acter, determined to chase away the strange cloud that appeared

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to be settling round Mr. Hooper, every moment more darkly
Pause at line 263. Who is the 260 than before. As his plighted31 wife, it should be her privilege to
next person to speak to Mr.
Hooper? know what the black veil concealed. At the minister’s first visit,
therefore, she entered upon the subject, with a direct simplicity,
which made the task easier both for him and her. After he had
seated himself, she fixed her eyes steadfastly upon the veil, but
could discern nothing of the dreadful gloom that had so over-
awed the multitude: It was but a double fold of crape, hanging
down from his forehead to his mouth, and slightly stirring with
his breath.
“No,” said she aloud, and smiling, “there is nothing terrible
270 in this piece of crape, except that it hides a face which I am
always glad to look upon. Come, good sir, let the sun shine from

30. synod (sinôd) n.: governing body of a group of churches.

31. plighted v. used as adj.: promised.

106 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 behind the cloud. First lay aside your black veil: Then tell me
why you put it on.”
Mr. Hooper’s smile glimmered faintly. Underline Mr. Hooper’s
“There is an hour to come,” said he, “when all of us shall response to Elizabeth’s
request to take off the veil
cast aside our veils. Take it not amiss, beloved friend, if I wear (lines 275-276). His response
has symbolic meaning. What
this piece of crape till then.” do you think it means?
“Your words are a mystery too,” returned the young lady.
“Take away the veil from them, at least.”
280 “Elizabeth, I will,” said he, “so far as my vow may suffer me.
Know, then, this veil is a type and a symbol, and I am bound to
wear it ever, both in light and darkness, in solitude and before
the gaze of multitudes, and as with strangers, so with my famil-
iar friends. No mortal eye will see it withdrawn. This dismal
shade must separate me from the world: Even you, Elizabeth,
Lines 280-286 are a key pas-
can never come behind it!” sage in the story. Re-read this
“What grievous affliction hath befallen you,” she earnestly passage, and explain what
you learn from it.
inquired, “that you should thus darken your eyes forever?”
“If it be a sign of mourning,” replied Mr. Hooper, “I, per-
290 haps, like most other mortals, have sorrows dark enough to be
typified by a black veil.”
“But what if the world will not believe that it is the type of
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an innocent sorrow?” urged Elizabeth. “Beloved and respected as

you are, there may be whispers, that you hide your face under
the consciousness of secret sin. For the sake of your holy office,
do away this scandal!”
The color rose into her cheeks, as she intimated the nature
of the rumors that were already abroad in the village. But Mr. Pause at line 296. What
Hooper’s mildness did not forsake him. He even smiled again— argument does Elizabeth
use to try to persuade Mr.
300 that same sad smile, which always appeared like a faint glimmer- Hooper to remove his veil?
ing of light, proceeding from the obscurity beneath the veil.
“If I hide my face for sorrow, there is cause enough,” he
merely replied; “and if I cover it for secret sin, what mortal
might not do the same?”
And with this gentle, but unconquerable obstinacy,32 did he
resist all her entreaties. At length Elizabeth sat silent. For a few
32. obstinacy n.: stubbornness; willfulness.

The Minister’s Black Veil 107

 moments she appeared lost in thought, considering, probably,
what new methods might be tried, to withdraw her lover
What change has come over from so dark a fantasy, which, if it had no other meaning,
Elizabeth in lines 311-315? 310 was perhaps a symptom of mental disease. Though of a firmer
character than his own, the tears rolled down her cheeks. But, in
an instant, as it were, a new feeling took the place of sorrow: Her
eyes were fixed insensibly on the black veil, when, like a sudden
twilight in the air, its terrors fell around her. She arose, and
stood trembling before him.
“And do you feel it then at last?” said he mournfully.
She made no reply, but covered her eyes with her hand, and
turned to leave the room. He rushed forward and caught her arm.
“Have patience with me, Elizabeth!” cried he passionately.

What does Mr. Hooper

320 “Do not desert me, though this veil must be between us here on
attempt to get Elizabeth to earth. Be mine, and hereafter there shall be no veil over my face,
do (lines 319-325)?
Underline his arguments. no darkness between our souls! It is but a mortal veil—it is not
for eternity! Oh! you know not how lonely I am, and how fright-
ened to be alone behind my black veil. Do not leave me in this
Pause at line 331. How is the miserable obscurity forever!”
matter between Elizabeth
“Lift the veil but once, and look me in the face,” said she.
and Mr. Hooper resolved?
“Never! It cannot be!” replied Mr. Hooper.

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“Then, farewell!” said Elizabeth.
She withdrew her arm from his grasp, and slowly departed,
330 pausing at the door, to give one long, shuddering gaze, that
seemed almost to penetrate the mystery of the black veil. But,
even amid his grief, Mr. Hooper smiled to think that only a
material emblem had separated him from happiness, though the
horrors which it shadowed forth, must be drawn darkly between
the fondest of lovers.
From that time no attempts were made to remove Mr.
Hooper’s black veil, or, by a direct appeal, to discover the secret
which it was supposed to hide. By persons who claimed a supe-
riority to popular prejudice, it was reckoned merely an eccentric
340 whim, such as often mingles with the sober actions of men other-
wise rational, and tinges them all with its own semblance of

108 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 Her eyes were fixed insensibly on
the black veil, when, like a sudden twilight in Notes

the air, its terrors fell around her.

insanity. But with the multitude, good Mr. Hooper was irrepa-
rably a bugbear.33 He could not walk the streets with any peace
of mind, so conscious was he that the gentle and timid would
turn aside to avoid him, and that others would make it a point
of hardihood to throw themselves in his way. The impertinence
of the latter class compelled him to give up his customary walk,
at sunset, to the burial ground; for when he leaned pensively
over the gate, there would always be faces behind the grave- Pause at line 346. How do
the villagers treat Mr.
350 stones, peeping at his black veil. A fable went the rounds, that
Hooper?
the stare of the dead people drove him thence. It grieved him, to
the very depth of his kind heart, to observe how the children
fled from his approach, breaking up their merriest sports, while
his melancholy figure was yet afar off. Their instinctive dread
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

caused him to feel, more strongly than aught else, that a preter-
natural34 horror was interwoven with the threads of the black
crape. In truth, his own antipathy to the veil was known to be so
great, that he never willingly passed before a mirror, nor stooped
to drink at a still fountain, lest, in its peaceful bosom, he should
pensively (pen√siv · l≤) adv.: in
360 be affrighted by himself. This was what gave plausibility to the deep thought.
whispers, that Mr. Hooper’s conscience tortured him for some antipathy (an · tip√¥ · ‚≤) n.:
strong dislike.
great crime, too horrible to be entirely concealed, or otherwise
plausibility (plô≈z¥ · bil√¥ · t≤)
than so obscurely intimated. Thus, from beneath the black veil, n.: believability.
there rolled a cloud into the sunshine, an ambiguity of sin or
sorrow, which enveloped the poor minister, so that love or sym-
pathy could never reach him. It was said, that ghost and fiend Pause at the end of this
page. Underline details that
might give you a clue about
the veil’s meaning.
33. bugbear n.: source of irrational fears.
34. preternatural adj.: abnormal; supernatural.

The Minister’s Black Veil 109

 consorted with him there. With self-shudderings and outward
terrors, he walked continually in its shadow, groping darkly
Pause at line 373. What within his own soul, or gazing through a medium that saddened
effect does the veil have on 370 the whole world. Even the lawless wind, it was believed, re-
Mr. Hooper’s outlook?
spected his dreadful secret, and never blew aside the veil. But
still good Mr. Hooper sadly smiled, at the pale visages of the
worldly throng as he passed by.
Among all its bad influences, the black veil had the one
desirable effect, of making its wearer a very efficient clergyman.
By the aid of his mysterious emblem—for there was no other
apparent cause—he became a man of awful power, over souls
that were in agony for sin. His converts always regarded him
with a dread peculiar to themselves, affirming, though but fig-
Re-read lines 374-381.
Underline the words that 380 uratively, that, before he brought them to celestial light, they had
describe how the black veil
been with him behind the black veil. Its gloom, indeed, enabled
affected Hooper’s relation-
ship with the villagers. What him to sympathize with all dark affections. Dying sinners cried
do you think the black veil is
a symbol of at this point in
aloud for Mr. Hooper, and would not yield their breath till he
the story? appeared; though ever, as he stooped to whisper consolation,
they shuddered at the veiled face so near their own. Such were
the terrors of the black veil, even when Death had bared his vis-
age! Strangers came long distances to attend service at his

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church, with the mere idle purpose of gazing at his figure,
because it was forbidden them to behold his face. But many
390 were made to quake ere they departed! Once, during Governor
Belcher’s35 administration, Mr. Hooper was appointed to preach
the election sermon. Covered with his black veil, he stood before
Pause at line 389. In what the chief magistrate, the council, and the representatives, and
way did the veil make Mr.
Hooper a popular minister? wrought so deep an impression, that the legislative measures of
that year, were characterized by all the gloom and piety of our
earliest ancestral sway.
In this manner Mr. Hooper spent a long life, irreproach-
able36 in outward act, yet shrouded in dismal suspicions; kind

35. Governor Belcher’s: Jonathan Belcher (1681?-1757) was governor of

the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1730 to 1741.
36. irreproachable adj.: blameless.

110 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 and loving, though unloved, and dimly feared; a man apart from
400 men, shunned in their health and joy, but ever summoned to
their aid in mortal anguish. As years wore on, shedding their What does the phrase “it
snows above his sable veil, he acquired a name throughout the was now good Father
Hooper’s turn to rest” mean
New England churches, and they called him Father Hooper. in lines 408-409?
Nearly all his parishioners, who were of mature age when he was
settled, had been borne away by many a funeral: He had one
congregation in the church, and a more crowded one in the
churchyard; and having wrought so late into the evening, and
done his work so well, it was now good Father Hooper’s turn to
rest.
410 Several persons were visible by the shaded candlelight, in
the death chamber of the old clergyman. Natural connections he
had none. But there was the decorously grave, though unmoved
physician, seeking only to mitigate37 the last pangs of the patient
whom he could not save. There were the deacons, and other
eminently pious members of his church. There, also, was the
Reverend Mr. Clark, of Westbury, a young and zealous divine,
What do you learn about
who had ridden in haste to pray by the bedside of the expiring Elizabeth in lines 418-421?
minister. There was the nurse, no hired handmaiden of death,
but one whose calm affection had endured thus long, in secrecy,
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420 in solitude, amid the chill of age, and would not perish, even at
the dying hour. Who, but Elizabeth! And there lay the hoary
head of good Father Hooper upon the death-pillow, with the
black veil still swathed about his brow and reaching down over
his face, so that each more difficult gasp of his faint breath
caused it to stir. All through life that piece of crape had hung
between him and the world: It had separated him from cheerful
brotherhood and woman’s love, and kept him in that saddest of
all prisons, his own heart; and still it lay upon his face, as if to
deepen the gloom of his darksome chamber, and shade him
430 from the sunshine of eternity.
For some time previous, his mind had been confused,
Underline details that
wavering doubtfully between the past and the present, and suggest the meaning of the
black veil (lines 421-430).

37. mitigate v.: make less painful.

The Minister’s Black Veil 111

 hovering forward, as it were, at intervals, into the indistinctness
of the world to come. There had been feverish turns, which
Pause at line 442. Why do tossed him from side to side, and wore away what little strength
you think Elizabeth would he had. But in his most convulsive struggles, and in the wildest
have replaced the veil if it
had fallen away? vagaries of his intellect, when no other thought retained its
sober influence, he still showed an awful solicitude lest the black
veil should slip aside. Even if his bewildered soul could have for-
440 gotten, there was a faithful woman at his pillow, who, with avert-
ed eyes, would have covered that aged face, which she had last
beheld in the comeliness of manhood. At length the death-
stricken old man lay quietly in the torpor38 of mental and bodily
exhaustion, with an imperceptible pulse, and breath that grew
fainter and fainter, except when a long, deep, and irregular inspi-
ration39 seemed to prelude the flight of his spirit.
The minister of Westbury approached the bedside.
“Venerable Father Hooper,” said he, “the moment of your
Pause at line 453. Do you release is at hand. Are you ready for the lifting of the veil, that
think Hooper will reveal why
he has worn the black veil 450 shuts in time from eternity?”
for so many years? Explain.
Father Hooper at first replied merely by a feeble motion of
his head; then, apprehensive, perhaps, that his meaning might be
doubtful, he exerted himself to speak.

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“Yea,” said he, in faint accents, “my soul hath a patient
weariness until that veil be lifted.”
“And is it fitting,” resumed the Reverend Mr. Clark, “that a
man so given to prayer, of such a blameless example, holy in
deed and thought, so far as mortal judgment may pronounce; is
it fitting that a father in the church should leave a shadow on his
460 memory, that may seem to blacken a life so pure? I pray you, my
venerable brother, let not this thing be! Suffer us to be glad-
dened by your triumphant aspect, as you go to your reward.
Before the veil of eternity be lifted, let me cast aside this black
veil from your face!”
Re-read lines 456-464. And thus speaking, the Reverend Mr. Clark bent forward to
Underline the reasons the
minister of Westbury gives reveal the mystery of so many years. But, exerting a sudden
for wanting to lift the black
veil. 38. torpor n.: dull or sluggish state.
39. inspiration n.: inhaling.

112 Part 1 Collection 2: American Romanticism

 energy, that made all the beholders stand aghast, Father Hooper
snatched both his hands from beneath the bedclothes, and
pressed them strongly on the black veil, resolute to struggle, if resolute (rez√¥ · lºt≈) adj.:
470 the minister of Westbury would contend with a dying man. determined.

“Never!” cried the veiled clergyman. “On earth, never!”

“Dark old man!” exclaimed the affrighted minister, “with
Lines 483-493 contain the
what horrible crime upon your soul are you now passing to the
climax of the story. What
judgment?” does Mr. Hooper say made
the veil so awful?
Father Hooper’s breath heaved; it rattled in his throat; but,
with a mighty effort, grasping forward with his hands, he caught
hold of life, and held it back till he should speak. He even raised
himself in bed; and there he sat, shivering with the arms of
death around him, while the black veil hung down, awful, at that
480 last moment, in the gathered terrors of a lifetime. And yet the
faint, sad smile, so often there, now seemed to glimmer from its
obscurity, and linger on Father Hooper’s lips.
“Why do you tremble at me alone?” cried he, turning his
veiled face round the circle of pale spectators. “Tremble also at
each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity,
and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil? What,
but the mystery which it obscurely typifies, has made this piece
This story is a parable: It
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his teaches a moral lesson.
friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly What do you think is the
moral lesson of “The
490 shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up Minister’s Black Veil”?
the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol
beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo!
on every visage a Black Veil!”
While his auditors shrank from one another, in mutual
affright, Father Hooper fell back upon his pillow, a veiled corpse,
with a faint smile lingering on the lips. Still veiled, they laid him
in his coffin, and a veiled corpse they bore him to the grave. The
grass of many years has sprung up and withered on that grave,
the burial stone is moss-grown, and good Mr. Hooper’s face is
500 dust; but awful is still the thought, that it moldered beneath the
Black Veil!

The Minister’s Black Veil 113