1-5: Previously Submitted
6. Build an argument that explains how certain a reader may be that Hawthorne knew of and understood the power of rhetoric. Choose specific passages from the text to support your claims. (This one is all about rhetorical analysis. You're welcome!)
The dark and gloomy nature of the veil symbolizes the dark nature and sin in human nature; including the imperfections found in each individual of everyday life. Behind every "masked" figure lies a mysterious individual that is never truly exposed to everything that has been done in ones life. The veil marks a secret sin or confession that is hidden and not exposed to the public, but yet hidden behind the black cloth. The fact implying that even a preacher, the godliest image in the town, wore this veil implies that there is darkness in everyone. The main purpose of the veil is to spark a fear in the nature of sinners in hopes that their actions change. The integrity of an individual and inner light is exposed as the veil is used in this symbolic manner.
7. Hawthorne was not a small critic of Transcendentalism, with its constant proddings for people to tap into the inner-light, and avoid conformity as individuals tap into Nature and the oversoul. How does Hawthorne seem to criticise the basic tenants of Transcendentalism with "The Minister's Black Veil"? What argument does Hawthorne seem to be most critical? Be sure to use specific peices from the text to support your claims.
Hawthorne seems to criticize and stress the importance of sinners in the world to conform to the rest of society and take the symbolic veil off of their faces in order to expose oneself with the true meaning of human nature. Hawthorne uses the symbolic meaning of the veil in order to create a sense of mystery provokes in sinners. The "veil" of inner light, or one's true self could be shown through the physical knowledge of such on an individual. Hawthorne also criticizes the basic tenants of Transcendentalism by arguing that in all individuals, sin is present in this gloomy, dark setting. At the end of the short story when everyone tries to remove Mr. Hooper's veil he then speaks, "When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, look on every visage a Black Veil!" He directly relates everyone in the world to himself, in a sense that everyone has a black veil following him or her wherever they go. Mr. Hooper sees the sin in all people, but places a physical veil on himself in hopes to show the rest of the world what truly is happening to views on humanity.
8. Finally: Hawthorne carefully avoids ever mentioning what Hooper has hidden. That said, from what you can tell, what is the most likely sin that the Reverend Hooper has committed? Explain the basis for your claim with solid argumentation. (Syllogism, enthymeme, logical reasoning).
Mr. Hooper's veil is a symbol of the natural sin of human nature. He wears this veil in efforts to "cover up" the sin that Mr. Hooper has committed, thus warranting the purpose of the constant need and wear for the veil. This sin is most likely one of adultery. Mr. Hooper more than likely had an intimate relationship with the young girl who had the funeral on the same day Mr. Hooper started wearing his black veil. Mr. Hooper may have even been so persistent about dying with the veil and being buried with it in efforts to bury his sin with him. When Elizabeth asks Mr. Hooper about the veil his says that he is unable to tell her due to a "promise" he has made. When leaning over the corpse of the girl almost to the point that the girl, had she still been alive, seen, could have seen Mr. Hooper's face. This shows a connection with one another that gives an extra level to a relationship showing the trust and experience witnesses with one another. Finally, a woman claims that as Mr. Hooper leaned over the young girl’s corpse, her body shuddered, thus furthering this argument and possibility of an intimate relationship shared between the two.
6. Build an argument that explains how certain a reader may be that Hawthorne knew of and understood the power of rhetoric. Choose specific passages from the text to support your claims. (This one is all about rhetorical analysis. You're welcome!)
The dark and gloomy nature of the veil symbolizes the dark nature and sin in human nature; including the imperfections found in each individual of everyday life. Behind every "masked" figure lies a mysterious individual that is never truly exposed to everything that has been done in ones life. The veil marks a secret sin or confession that is hidden and not exposed to the public, but yet hidden behind the black cloth. The fact implying that even a preacher, the godliest image in the town, wore this veil implies that there is darkness in everyone. The main purpose of the veil is to spark a fear in the nature of sinners in hopes that their actions change. The integrity of an individual and inner light is exposed as the veil is used in this symbolic manner.
7. Hawthorne was not a small critic of Transcendentalism, with its constant proddings for people to tap into the inner-light, and avoid conformity as individuals tap into Nature and the oversoul. How does Hawthorne seem to criticise the basic tenants of Transcendentalism with "The Minister's Black Veil"? What argument does Hawthorne seem to be most critical? Be sure to use specific peices from the text to support your claims.
Hawthorne seems to criticize and stress the importance of sinners in the world to conform to the rest of society and take the symbolic veil off of their faces in order to expose oneself with the true meaning of human nature. Hawthorne uses the symbolic meaning of the veil in order to create a sense of mystery provokes in sinners. The "veil" of inner light, or one's true self could be shown through the physical knowledge of such on an individual. Hawthorne also criticizes the basic tenants of Transcendentalism by arguing that in all individuals, sin is present in this gloomy, dark setting. At the end of the short story when everyone tries to remove Mr. Hooper's veil he then speaks, "When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, look on every visage a Black Veil!" He directly relates everyone in the world to himself, in a sense that everyone has a black veil following him or her wherever they go. Mr. Hooper sees the sin in all people, but places a physical veil on himself in hopes to show the rest of the world what truly is happening to views on humanity.
8. Finally: Hawthorne carefully avoids ever mentioning what Hooper has hidden. That said, from what you can tell, what is the most likely sin that the Reverend Hooper has committed? Explain the basis for your claim with solid argumentation. (Syllogism, enthymeme, logical reasoning).
Mr. Hooper's veil is a symbol of the natural sin of human nature. He wears this veil in efforts to "cover up" the sin that Mr. Hooper has committed, thus warranting the purpose of the constant need and wear for the veil. This sin is most likely one of adultery. Mr. Hooper more than likely had an intimate relationship with the young girl who had the funeral on the same day Mr. Hooper started wearing his black veil. Mr. Hooper may have even been so persistent about dying with the veil and being buried with it in efforts to bury his sin with him. When Elizabeth asks Mr. Hooper about the veil his says that he is unable to tell her due to a "promise" he has made. When leaning over the corpse of the girl almost to the point that the girl, had she still been alive, seen, could have seen Mr. Hooper's face. This shows a connection with one another that gives an extra level to a relationship showing the trust and experience witnesses with one another. Finally, a woman claims that as Mr. Hooper leaned over the young girl’s corpse, her body shuddered, thus furthering this argument and possibility of an intimate relationship shared between the two.