The Minister’s Black Veil By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Setting Small, old village 1800’s Puritan

Characters Reverend Hooper – main character and minister; wears black veil because he believes it symbolizes sin Elizabeth – Hooper’s fiancée, until he refused to take off the veil in her presence Reverend Mr. Clark – young minister from nearby town of Westbury who prays for Rev. Hooper at his deathbed The Townspeople – highly religious & nervous about the change in their minister; they both revere & shun Rev. Hooper simultaneously

Brief Summary Reverend Hooper was always known as a neat and orderly man, until one Sunday morning he arrived at the first service with a black veil covering his face. The veil starts to isolate him from his companionships; one man who always invited to him to dinner, didn’t and his finance denies his marriage proposal. He wears his veil to the grave, and refuses to take it off even at the grave.

Inspiration? Hawthorne may have been inspired by a true event. A clergyman named Joseph Moody of York, Maine York, nicknamed "Handkerchief Moody", accidentally killed a friend when he was a young man and wore a black veil from the man's funeral until his own death.

Feedback & Understanding 1. Why do you think he was wearing the black veil? 2. What do you think the black veil symbolizes? 3. Why do you think Mr. Hooper will not remove the veil, even as he is dying? 4. What do Father Hooper's final words say about his possible reasoning for wearing the veil?

Criticism “Poe called the work a ‘masterly composition,’ but suggested that only the most sensitive readers would be able to glean the true import of the narrative and see beyond the obvious moral of the story.”

Vocab Sexton - a person who looks after a church and churchyard, sometimes acting as bell-ringer and formerly as a gravedigger Throng - a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals Semblance - the outward appearance or apparent form of something Parson - a beneficed member of the clergy Swathed - wrap in several layers of fabric Parishioner - an inhabitant of a parish, esp. one who belongs to or attends a particular church Perturbation - anxiety; mental uneasiness Venerable - accorded a great deal of respect, esp. because of age, wisdom, or character Tinged – color slightly Pathos - a quality that evokes pity or sadness Visage - a person's facial expression Indecorous - failure to conform to good taste or etiquette

Vocab, cont. Impertinent - not showing proper respect; rude Erred - be mistaken or incorrect; make a mistake Amiable - having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner Abashed - cause to feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed Synod - an assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular church Plighted - pledge or promise solemnly (one's faith or loyalty) Take something amiss - be offended by something that is said, typically through misinterpreting the intentions behind it Pensively - engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought Preternatural - beyond what is normal or natural Antipathy - a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion Intimated – imply or hint at Ambiguity - a lack of decisiveness or commitment resulting from a failure to make a choice between alternatives

Vocab, cont. Ostentatious - characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice Sagacious - having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd Scrupled - hesitate or be reluctant to do something that one thinks may be wrong Imp – a mischievous child Waggery - waggish behavior or remarks; jocularity Vagary - an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behavior Lest - with the intention of preventing (something undesirable); to avoid the risk of Torpor - a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy Piety - the quality of being religious or reverent Mitigate - make less severe, serious, or painful Pious - devoutly religious Hoary - (of a person) having gray or white hair; aged

Prompt In what ways do you wear a black veil?