By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Symbol: A symbol is something that comes
to represent something else while retaining
its own meaning, as well.

There are two types of symbols:
Universal
&
Contextual

A Universal Symbol is when an object
represents something other than itself all of
the time (Ex: Flag, Eagle)

A Contextual Symbol is when an object
represents something other than itself only in
the context of the story
 The obvious symbol in this story is
the veil itself . . . The questions is,
what does the veil symbolize?

1. The black veil is symbolic of some specific
sin that Reverend Hooper committed

In the epilogue to the story, Hawthorne
writes that someone similar to Hooper had
“accidentally killed a beloved friend” earlier in
life.

The black veil is also symbolic of Original Sin,
or the idea that humanity has the tendency to
transgress against the laws of God.

Hooper says “ . . . And if I cover it for secret
sin, what mortal might not do the same?”
(261)

The veil also comes to symbolize the fine line
between life and death.

Only in death does the ‘veil’ come off

Hooper says, “There is an hour to come . . .
When all of us shall cast aside our veils.”




Some literary critics have argued that the
black veil is symbolic of Hooper’s own
excessive pride.
He could have worn the veil for a short while
and than discarded the veil.
He also could have explained to his
parishioners why he was wearing the veil.
Some view the excessive use of the veil as
Hooper’s morally superior attitude.



Parable: a parable is a short narrative that
draws a moral lesson or illustrates a religious
truth.
Unlike an allegory, a parable does not
incorporate characters or objects that stand
for something else.
If this story is a parable, what moral lesson
could be drawn from it?