The Minister's Black Veil

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Genres: Literary Fiction

Synopsis

Reverend Hooper appears in church one day wearing a black veil over his face, providing no explanation. He gives a somber sermon on secret sin, leading those in the congregation to wonder at the veil’s purpose. Tension builds in the community over the unexplained veil—children fear Hooper and his fiancée leaves him, yet repentant sinners feel drawn to his dark secret. “The Minister’s Black Veil” is an impeccable example of Hawthorne’s mastery of weaving Puritan themes into eerie short stories.

Release date: January 1, 2007

Publisher: HarperPerennial Classics

Print pages: 25