The Consequences of Sin

The Consequences of Sin

“The theme of the stories has been variously stated as the reality of sin, the occurrence of evil, the secret sin and hypocrisy of all persons, the hypocrisy of Puritanism, the results of doubt or disbelief, the devastating effects of moral skepticism, or the demoralizing effects of the discovery that all men are sinners and hypocrites” (McKeithan 93). Although “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “Young Goodman Brown” both deal with the obsession with sin, Nathaniel Hawthorne illuminates the different consequences.

First of all there are many similarities in “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “Young Goodman Brown”. One of the many similarities is that both towns seem to be corrupt with sin. Mr. Hooper knows that everyone is not perfect in his town. Although it very well shows in the end of the story when Mr. Hooper expresses himself, “I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a Black Veil (Minister 882).” Young Goodman Brown knows that he has been raised by Puritan ideals yet he sees his mentors going against everything he has taught him. Goodman Brown’s account of when he was at the witch meeting was, “The fiend worshippers were seen; the smile of welcome gleamed darkly on every visage (Young 1040).” Both Mr. Hooper and Brown also have the same ideals. They both believe in Puritan ideas and beliefs but they both have some kind of conflict with sin. “For the hardened Puritan, his humanity was sinful enough, end he wore it the way a medieval penitent would his hair shirt. Anything less than absolute perfection was absolute corruption (Morsberger 456).” Another relation that Hooper and Brown comprise of is that they both lose the girl they adore in the short

stories. Hooper loses his girl, Elizabeth by not taking off the veil that everyone in town is talking about. Brown on the other hand loses his girl, Faith from the very beginning when he left her at their home.

The differences in “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “Young Goodman Brown” are numerous as well as their similarities. One of the differences is how both characters dealt with sin. Reverend Hooper tries to deal with the sin that he may have committed by wearing a black veil that covers his face till the day he dies. “If I hide my face for sorrow, there is cause enough… and if I cover it for secret sin, what mortal might not do the same (Minister 878).” Brown on the other hand has a completely different idea by meeting the devil on his journey through the forest. Another key difference is how Hooper and Brown are judged. “The Reverend Mr. Hooper does not make Brown’s mistake. He does not view his fellow creatures with a jaundiced eye. Father Hooper sees the same truth about human nature that Young Goodman Brown sees, but he does not fall prey to Evil by obsessively viewing man as hopelessly sinful and disqualified from Salvation (Cochran 344).” Even Hooper was also once a respected pastor that everyone loved, although the community started to judge and talk behind his back. “I don’t like it,” muttered an old woman, as she hobbled into the meeting house. “He has changed himself into something awful, only by hiding his face.” Goodman Gray even replies, “Our parson has gone mad (Minister 873)!” Young Goodman Brown though appears to judge everyone in his town because he basically notices all his mentors that have taught him the Puritan ways of life are going to the same satanic meeting he is going to. This brings me to another difference, which

are the outcomes of faith in each of the characters. Hooper appears to be more regretful, yet strong in his Puritan beliefs. Brown seems to be confused about his faith and in the end loses his faith. Even when he seizes the pink ribbon and yells, “My Faith is gone (Young 1038).” Even though this phrase was meant for his wife it had a double meaning as