The Minister's Black Veil

"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story about Reverend Hooper who begins wearing a black veil that covers his face, symbolizing hidden sin and moral secretiveness. The veil isolates him from his congregation and alters how they see him, highlighting themes of hypocrisy, guilt, and the human tendency to conceal sins. Despite the reactions of fear and misunderstanding, Hooper refuses to remove the veil, emphasizing that secret sins affect everyone and that moral blindness is a universal burden. The story invites reflection on the nature of sin, guilt, and moral transparency in human life.