Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Minister's Black Veil Nathaniel Hawthorne

"The Minister's Black Veil" is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne published in 1832. Like many of Hawthorne's works, the setting of the story is a town in Puritan New England. The scene provides the backdrop for a psychological exploration of the themes of sin, repentance, and morality. Much of the story focuses on the acrimonious reaction of the congregation to the seemingly benign veil. Hawthorne uses their reaction as a critique of the Puritan image of original sin, using the veil as a representation not of "secret sin" but the inherent sinful nature of all people.