“The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Nathaniel Hawthorne excellently depicts dark romanticism in his story “The Minister’s Black Veil” based on the mood created by the language. The story explores the conflict between good and evil and the psychological effects of guilt and sin. Behind the pasteboard masks of social respectability, the Dark Romantics saw the blankness and the horror of evil. It is this idea that Hawthorne deliberately plays within this story as he forces the villagers to confront the hidden sin within themselves through the symbol of Mr. Hooper wearing an outward sign of his secret sin. The author uses a gloomy tone throughout the story, and the symbolism of the black veil radiates a dark and almost sinful mood. The black veil and gloomy tone have a significant psychological effect on both the characters in the story and the readers, which is a significant aspect of the Dark Romanticism. Right from the beginning, the reader notices the dark tone and mood of the story because of Hawthorne’s choice of words. For example, the phrase, “It was tinged, rather more darkly than usual, with the gentle gloom of Mr. Hooper’s temperament” (Hawthorne 282), immediately portrays a mysterious mood about Mr. Hooper and his sermon. This kind of language is quite characteristic of the Dark Romanticism age because of its focus on the dreary and frightening aspects of life. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Along with describing the minister himself, Hawthorne goes on to similarly depict his veil as “His gloomy shade before him” (Hawthorne 283). Hawthorne’s choice of words in this passage truly adds to the overall “gloomy” tone of the story. The reader, as well as the townspeople, can interpret that there is a grave mystery behind the veil, but they do not know what it is precise, which is an example of the psychological traits of Dark Romanticism. The eerie mystery of the veil itself plays mind games with the reader and the characters in the story.
Another characteristic of the American Romantic Movement that is depicted in the story is individualism. Although the story focuses on the sinful nature of humans and the universal attempt to hide our true nature from others, Mr. Hooper emerges as the sole individual in his community who acknowledges this truth.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Minister’s Black Veil.” American Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 280-89. Print.