Late in
his life, Father Hooper has become something of a celebrity within the religious community as a
powerful and effective minister, but also for his peculiar black veil and the rumors that
surround it. As he is on his death bed, the Reverend Mr. Clark is summoned to give him his last
rites. As Father Hooper seems to be on the verge of death, Mr. Clark suggests that Father Hooper
should remove his veil and lift the cloud of mystery and suspicion that has surrounded his life.
As Mr. Clark bends forward to lift the veil, Father Hooper lifts both his hands and holds
tightly to the corners of his veil and exclaims that he will never remove his veil. Mr. Clark
then inquires as to what horrible sin Father Hooper has committed that he refuses to remove the
veil. As he is expiring Father Hooper replies:
Why do you
tremble at me alone?...I look around me, and, lo! on every visage a Black Veil!
Father Hooper leaves his final companions with the same horror and
dread which he caused in life and is ultimately buried the way he lived, with his face covered
in a black veil. Hooper's black veil conceals the reality of his existence, sealing him off
from others around him. Hooper's unwillingness to remove this veil demonstrates our inability as
humans to communicate the true nature of our existence with one another and ultimately suggests
that we all live among others but truly in solitude.
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