Ambiguity In The Minister's Black Veil

When looking at “The Ministers black veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorn, Elaine Barry makes a strong case for the central symbols such as the veil, and people have such a strong ambiguity. She makes the case that it helps describes “Hawthorn’s distrust of moral certainties, but also his sense of artistic bankruptcy” (Barry 1). At first Barry looks at the division of characters in “The Ministers Black Veil”, primarily Mr.Hooper who she describes as a “Dramatic contrast” describing his part in between all the commotion during the sermon between Mr.Clark and the congregation. Barry goes on to say the abiguity lies within the veil and Hoopers character when she says “Their reactions are one’s of ‘dread’...’conscious of lighter spirits the moment they