Figurative Language

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Figurative Language
The use of figurative language in “The Minister’s Veil” focuses on Hooper’s hidden sin. The literary style assists in illustrating the relationship between Hooper and his congregation, Hooper and Elizabeth and the significance of the veil. The analysis highlights some of the areas in the text that depict figurative language.
An example of figurative language in the text is exhibited in Elizabeth’s request to Hooper whereby she states, “Come, good sir; let the sunshine from behind the cloud. First lay aside your black veil, then tell me why you put it on,” (Hawthorne). The statement highlights a metaphor whereby Hooper attempts to hide the goodness in him by putting on the veil. By then Elizabeth is not aware of the significance of the veil. All that Elizabeth wants is to view his face. Nonetheless, the audience is aware that the veil does not only function to conceal Hooper’s face but also illustrates the concealing of the sinful nature of humanity.

Another example of figurative language in the text is the statement, “Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister as his black veil to them,” (Hawthorne). The statement is made during a congregational meeting between Hooper and his followers. It can be viewed that the author uses the phrase “pale-faced” to distinguish between Hooper’s light and dark visages including the members of his congregation. In other words, the phrase does not only illustrate the nervousness and fear present in Hooper’s congregation but also sharply illustrates the contrast to the evil associated with Hooper’s veil.

The contrast can be perceived to illustrate the difference between darkness and light in the associated scene with respect to evil and good respectively.
The statement “All through life that piece of crape had hung between him and the world” (Hawthorne) also contributes to the figurative language used in the text. The statement, through a metaphorical approach, illustrates the importance of the veil in the story. The associated view is that when an individual decides to conceal sin in his or her heart, the person eventually loses himself such that he or she misses out on the good things that life has to provide. It is important to note that regardless of the veil illustrating humanity’s concealed sin or concealing Hooper’s sin, none of the constructs interferes with the metaphor as Hooper passes away not understood in addition to being burdened by his hidden sin.
Work Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Ministers Black Veil.” The Norton Anthology of American
Literature. Ed. Nina Baym, Ed. Robert Levine. W. W. Norton & Company, 2011. pp.409-417.