Gothic Literature: Hawthorne and Poe
1. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil," a key Gothic element employed is the motif of mystery and secrecy, represented by the black veil that Reverend Hooper wears over his face. This veil acts as a physical barrier between Hooper and his congregation, creating an air of mystery and isolation that is quintessential to Gothic literature. It also acts as a symbol of the hidden sins and guilt that all humans carry, suggesting that everyone wears a metaphorical veil that covers or hides the inner state of the soul from public view. For example, Hawthorne writes, "The subject had reference to secret sin, and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and dearest and would fain conceal from our own consciousness, even forgetting that the Omniscient can detect them." This quote gets to the heart of the significance of the veil as a representation of the universal human condition of hidden sinfulness and the isolation it causes. It suggests that we are all Hooper if we dare to look honestly at ourselves in the mirror. Another quote from the text that illustrates the significance of the veil and the theme of hidden sin is: "There is an hour to come," said he, "when all of us shall cast aside our veils. Take it not amiss, beloved friend, if I wear this piece of crape till then." This quote further emphasizes Reverend Hooper's commitment to wearing the veil as a symbol of the hidden sins and sorrows that all people carry. It suggests that the veil covers us almost mercifully until the day of the final judgment.
2. Through "The Minister's Black Veil," Hawthorne reveals much about 19th-century society. The revelation is particularly in its attitudes regarding sin, morality, and the public versus private self. The characters' reactions to Reverend Hooper's veil reflect the community's fear and suspicion towards what is unknown or different. The veil becomes a focal point for the townspeople's projections of their own guilt and secrets. Hawthorne illustrates this social dynamic when he describes the congregation's reaction: "Each member of the congregation, the most innocent girl, and the man of hardened breast, felt as if...
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5. Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe use Gothic elements in their works, but their approaches and contributions to the genre differ significantly. Hawthorne often explores the psychological aspects of guilt, sin, and morality, placing his Gothic elements within the moral and social contexts of his characters, as seen in "The Minister's Black Veil." His Gothic is more focused on morality. In contrast, Poe's use of the Gothic looks into the psychological and the supernatural, creating atmospheres of intense emotion and horror. For example, Hawthorne writes, "The black veil, though it covers only our pastor's face, throws its influence over his whole person, and makes him ghost-like from head to foot. Do you not feel it so?" This quote reflects Hawthorne's focus on the moral implications of the Gothic elementthe veilas it affects the soul. On the other hand, Poe writes, "I looked upon the scene before me...upon the bleak wallsupon the vacant eye-like windowsupon a few rank sedgesand upon a few white trunks of decayed treeswith an utter depression of soul." This quote showcases Poe's emphasis on mood,…
