THE MINISTER’S BLACK VEIL
1. People often go through five stages when they must deal with loss or change. Can you
find an example of each one in the story as people try to understand the change in Mr.
Hooper?
* Denial
* Anger
* Bargaining
* Depression
* Acceptance
2. What incidents start rumors about Mr. Hooper's reason for wearing the veil?
3. Why does Elizabeth break her engagement to Mr. Hooper?
4. As time passes, how do people treat Mr. Hooper? Consider the actions of children and
of the dying. Why do you think they treat him that way?
5. Hawthorne is careful to describe Rev. Clark of Westbury as "young and zealous."
What difference does Rev. Clark's age make? How might a minister closer to Mr.
Hooper's age have handled the situation?
6. Why do you think Mr. Hooper will not remove the veil, even as he is dying?