“The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne Paraphrase Exercise

The purpose of this exercise is to emphasize that you must first understand a work of literature at the literal level, before you attempt to interpret underlying meanings. Some texts are very easy to understand at the literal level; others require a lot of concentration and repeated use of the dictionary, particularly for young readers.

Paraphrase each of the following quotes from the story. Remember that to paraphrase means to re- state in your own words. This is a literal-level exercise – do not interpret underlying meanings at this time. Your task is only to carefully re-state only the denotation of the lines.

1. “ [the veil] probably did not intercept his sight, further than to give a darkened aspect to all living and inanimate things.”

2. “There was a feeling of dread, neither plainly confessed nor carefully concealed, which caused each to shift the responsibility upon another, till at length it was found expedient to send a deputation of the church, in order to deal with Mr. Hooper about the mystery, before it should grow into a scandal.”

3. “By persons who claimed a superiority to popular prejudice, [the veil] was reckoned merely an eccentric whim, such as often mingles with the sober actions of men otherwise rational, and tinges them all with its own semblance of insanity.”

4. “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!”

“The Minister’s Black Veil” Discussion Questions

These are mostly interpretative-level questions – as you consider your responses, you will be providing your interpretation of underlying meanings. Examine the text very carefully as you interpret meanings, as this is a subtle and complicated story. For each answer, be sure that you can use at least one direct quote to support your response.

1. What specific things do the townspeople do and say in response to the minister’s wearing the veil? Why do you think they behave this way? Do you think their behavior is justified?

2. What are some of the possible reasons that Elizabeth breaks off the engagement? Look very carefully at her statements.

3. Hawthorne described the story as “a parable,” which means that it is a brief tale with a moral message. However, the story is not as simple as most parables. Consider two different central themes or messages that might emerge from this story. Try writing each one out in a complete sentence