"The Minister's Black Veil " -Hawthorne

Online Quote:
“Other scholars have found that the focus of the story is not on what motivates Hooper to wear the veil, but the effect the covering has on the minister and his congregation”- enotes.com

Book Quote:
“’Why do you tremble at me alone?’ cried he, turning his veiled face round the circle of pale spectators. ‘Tremble also at each other… I look around me, and lo! on every visage a black veil!’”

Summary:
The Minister’s Black Veil takes place in Milford, Massachusetts during the time of the first puritans. Reverend Mr. Hooper has a reputation of being a great minister and enters into Milford. The story starts on his arrival and the people start their uproars and gossiping on the meaning of the black veil. There is soon a funeral of a young lady, leading rumors that he had loved this woman which would be obvious that he loved her and would mourn for her death. There is a couple that marry soon later and the veil is seen as “evil” as it is black, make everyone scared for the couple. After the wedding he sees his reflection causing him to leave. His fiancé, Elizabeth, too is disturbed by the veil and its meaning and leaves him. After many years had passed he is near death. They wish to take off his veil but he finally brings us some understanding for the veil. As the people fear him because the veil is symbolized as sin and at this time you would avoid sin, even if they have done it themselves. They have all sinned, not just him, “every visage a black veil!”

Opinion:
We have all sinned one way or another; he chooses to punish himself by
covering his sinful face. The puritans see him as a monster, not normal. Others travel far to see him because they believe him to be a god fearing man who has sinned as they have but think it ridiculous to punish himself instead of waiting for judgment day as they all are. He wants to do the good works before being judged and so is a minister and covers his face to show he knows he has done wrong and wishes to be forgiven. Hooper wears an actual black veil to hide his sinful face but the people around the community can’t or won’t see why. They have sinned and wear a black veil though they don’t constantly remember themselves having it (having sinned) and why (and how they have sinned).