Man's perception of evil is a recurring theme in many of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories. Many of his tales, such as Young Goodman Brown, were inspired by the notorious deeds of his Puritan ancestors. Others, such as The Minister’s Black Veil, might have come from his own life experience, which included a mother who shut herself off from society by becoming a semi-recluse after the death of Nathaniel’s father. Still other stories, such as The Birthmark, may have been inspired by the great changes in knowledge, spirituality, and science that were being introduced during his lifetime.
The Minister’s Black Veil
In the short story The Minister’s Black Veil, Rev. Mr. Hooper turns up to preach his regular sermon wearing a black veil. His wearing of a semi-transparent dark veil that covers most of his face makes the congregation uneasy, and reminds them of their own secret sins. Hooper’s sin is an attempt to shield himself from all evil by the wearing of a veil that separates him from society much in the way Hester Prynne wore her scarlet letter. The black veil, which serves as a constant reminder of the evil around us, served also to block out the good and to alienate him from his congregation and from the joys and pleasures of life itself.
.Young Goodman Brown
A story with a similar theme is Young Goodman Brown. In this allegorical tale set in 17th Century Salem, Goodman Brown leaves his home and wife to make a mysterious journey into the forest. In the woods he meets a man who represents the Devil. On his way to join some evil ritual, Brown encounters many of the townspeople he thought of as good, including the minister. When he realizes his own wife, Faith, is the new initiate, it causes him to lose all faith in mankind.
The Birthmark
In The Birthmark, a scientist marries a woman who is perfect except for one small flaw. She has a birthmark in the shape of a tiny hand on her cheek that mars her otherwise prefect beauty. By focusing on this flaw, Aylmar gets his wife to see herself as unattractive rather than beautiful. An attempt to remove the birthmark succeeds, but causes Georgiana’s death. By focusing on the small flaw, Aylmar spoils the happiness that could have been his.
In all of these stories, the main character succeeds in ruining their own chances at happiness by faulty perception. In The Minister’s Black Veil, the cloaking of his face alienated the congregation he loved and did them more harm than good. In Young Goodman Brown, the main character’s lack of faith made him see evil in innocence. In The Birthmark, the scientist’s unrealistic demand for perfection destroyed natural beauty.
Readers may also enjoy these articles about the life and works of Nathaniel Hawthorne:
Nathaniel Hawthorne: American Master of Symbolism and Allegory,
Nathaniel Hawthorne and Sophia Peabody
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