Hawthorne’s “The Minister’s Black Veil” story (1836) illustrates that, like all human beings, religious leaders engage in various types of wrongdoing. To this end, a clergyman named Mr. Joseph Moody commits the crime of murdering a friend. Similarly, the Reverend Mr. Clark, a Westbury clergyman, engages in wrongdoing by attempting to force the Reverend Parson Hooper to remove a veil from the face. This essay analyses “The Minister‘s Black Veil” to show that religious leaders are not exempt from wrongdoing based on the following aspects: Mr, Moody, a clergyman, commits the crime of murdering a friend; and the Reverend Mr, Clark attempts to force the Reverend Hooper to remove a veil from the face. Given that Mr. Moody, a clergyman, commits the crime of murdering a friend, The Minister’s Black Veil” demonstrates that religious leaders are not exempt from wrongdoing.
By killing his friend (Hawthorne, nrdr), Mr. Moody engages in three types of wrongs. Firstly, Mr. Moody betrays the trust that the friend has in him. This idea derives from the concept that the friend trusts Mr. Moody and does not this expect to die in the hands of Mr. Moody. In addition, Mr. Moody’s killing of the friend constitutes a wrong against God who prohibits people from engaging in murder. Mr. Moody‘s killing of the friend also amounts to a wrong against human political laws that forbid individuals from engaging in murder. From this analysis, it is evident that, despite being an ordained religious leader, Mr. Moody is a wrongdoer. Moreover, ”The Minister’s Black Veil” highlights that clergymen are not exempt from wrongdoing in that the Reverend Mr. Clark attempts to force the Reverend Hooper to remove a veil from the face.
The Reverend Clark‘s action constitutes a wrongdoing on the basis of two reasons. Firstly, Reverend Hooper is extremely ill and thus bedridden. Lying on his deathbed, Reverend Hooper is just about to pass away (nrdt). If anything, Reverend Mr. Clark should try to provide any necessary support to the Reverend Hooper. By trying to forcefully snatch a veil that covers part of the Reverend Hooper’s face, the Reverend Clark illustrates lack of respect toward the Reverend Hooper. This is because, in a cruel manner, Reverend Clark tries to take advantage of the fact that the Reverend Hooper is weak and thus unable to effectively ward off any attack. Other than wronging the Reverend Hooper, the Reverend Clark also wrongs the church that he serves and, in extension, God, The Reverend Clark wrongs his church in two ways.
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Firstly, he fails to take care of a fellow priest and thus contravenes church policy that encourages brotherly conduct among priests In addition, he fails to demonstrate kindness toward the sick Reverend Hooper as advised by the church, Further, the Reverend Clark wrongs God; he fails to demonstrate love toward a fellow human being. This analysis shows that, although he is an ordained priest, Reverend Clark is a wrongdoer. In conclusion, “The Minister’s Black Veil” highlights that clergymen are not exempt from wrongdoing, To this end, Mr, Moody, a clergyman, commits the crime of murdering a friend. Further, the Reverend Mr. Clark attempts to force the Reverend Hooper to remove a veil from the face. Given his portrayal of Mr. Moody and the Reverend Mr. Clark, it is clear that Hawthorne intends to censure religious leaders. It would be enlightening [0 find out why Hawthorne adopts this negative stance.
