The Minister's Isolation Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Minister's Black Veil: A Parable in 1836. Hawthorne was a man known for his dark outlook on life and society, and this point of view often colored his work like an author. His inspiration for this short story about a minister who wears a black veil over his eyes and nose until his death may have been inspired by a real event. A priest named Joseph Moody, from York, Maine, accidentally killed a friend as a young man and wore a veil over his face until his death. There are many theories as to what message Hawthorne was trying to convey in this story. Some think the main theme is secret sin, with the veil used literally to reach its followers. Others, like Edgar Allan Poe, believe that the veil was used to symbolize guilt for a terrible crime. While the veil is undoubtedly symbolic, one is also led to believe in its use as a tool to symbolize isolation; however, secret sin and guilt are also underlying themes. Because some members of the congregation assumed that the veil represented Hooper's hidden sins, they felt comforted by the fact that their religious leader was, like them, a sinner who could understand what it felt like to be a sinner. Within the Puritan community people hoped to be among those predestined to go to Heaven. Since there was no way to know for sure, they tried to live as exemplary a life as possible. Those who committed the sin were careful to keep it secret. Hooper has isolated himself from the congregation with the result that they feel closer to him. They understand that He knows the darkness of being a sinner and is able to counsel those who are even in that dark place. According to E. Earle Stibitz, by S......middle of paper......Black Veil'." Studies In Short Fiction 17.1 (1980): 15. Academic research completed. Web. March 28, 2012. Davis , William V. "Hawthorne's 'The Minister's Black Veil': A Note on the Significance of the Subtitle." Studies in Brief Fiction 23.4 (1986): 453 Academic Search Complete, Web. 28 March 2012. Hawthorne, Nathaniel "The Minister's Black Veil". Jin. Lee. Sixth ed. Vol. B. [Boston, Massachusetts]: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2431-439. Early 19th century print. The Minister's Black Veil.." American Literature 34.2 (1962) : 182. Academic research completed. Network. March 28, 2012. Timmerman, John H. “THE BLACK VEIL OF THE MINISTER of Hawthorne.” Explicator 41.3 (1983): 29. Academic research completed. Network. March 28. 2012.