Monday, November 13, 2006
Nathaniel Hawhorne
Katja
ENGL 48A
Journal #13, Hawthorne
November 13, 2006
"But, even amid his grief, Mr. Hooper smiled to think that only a material emblem had separated him from happiness, though the horrors which it shadowed forth, must be drawn darkly between the fondest of lovers." (1286)
This excerpt is from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Minister’s Black Veil. Here Mr. Hooper’s intended Elizabeth, has just left him to his own devices after he has refused to remove the veil that shrouds his face, even for her. I am struck by how the desolate feeling of the sentence somehow captures Mr. Hooper’s own quelled and unnamed emotions. The quote captures the distinct sense of ambivalence evident throughout the story. Mr. Hooper grieves, yet smiles, his happiness seems easily attained, yet foreshadows horrors.
The "material emblem" refers to the veil itself, a black crape material, but also to something deeper. The veil, if seen as a symbol for Hooper himself, suggests that Elizabeth may have understood him better than anyone else, and thus, based on her behind the veil-knowledge, she decides to abandon him. The veil could represent a number of different barriers to Hooper’s perceived happiness: physical, psychological, sexual, social, political, economical. Whatever they were, it seems evident to me that Elizabeth, who returns to Hooper’s side at the time of his death, knew him intimately but was unable to handle what he dished out.
The secrets between lovers are inevitable, according to Hawthorne. Not only are they a "must" but they are also of an evil and/or dark nature. What is it in human nature that creates this disharmony between "the fondest of lovers?" Is this due to a lack of honesty? A failure to relate? Overwhelming expectations? Self-depreciation? And who are the lovers? Is it Hooper and Elizabeth? Hooper and himself? Hooper and the maiden? Hooper and God? Hooper and the Devil? The Devil and God? Hooper and some unnamed entity or person? Humanity and Faith? Hooper and his congregation?
It seems that there are more questions than answers in this one sentence and I think it well captures the essence of the entire short story. It hints at intimacy regretted, futures not attained and loves not permitted. More than anything it speaks to the torment of a single mind, unable to break free of its unmentionable fetters.
ENGL 48A
Journal #13, Hawthorne
November 13, 2006
"But, even amid his grief, Mr. Hooper smiled to think that only a material emblem had separated him from happiness, though the horrors which it shadowed forth, must be drawn darkly between the fondest of lovers." (1286)
This excerpt is from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Minister’s Black Veil. Here Mr. Hooper’s intended Elizabeth, has just left him to his own devices after he has refused to remove the veil that shrouds his face, even for her. I am struck by how the desolate feeling of the sentence somehow captures Mr. Hooper’s own quelled and unnamed emotions. The quote captures the distinct sense of ambivalence evident throughout the story. Mr. Hooper grieves, yet smiles, his happiness seems easily attained, yet foreshadows horrors.
The "material emblem" refers to the veil itself, a black crape material, but also to something deeper. The veil, if seen as a symbol for Hooper himself, suggests that Elizabeth may have understood him better than anyone else, and thus, based on her behind the veil-knowledge, she decides to abandon him. The veil could represent a number of different barriers to Hooper’s perceived happiness: physical, psychological, sexual, social, political, economical. Whatever they were, it seems evident to me that Elizabeth, who returns to Hooper’s side at the time of his death, knew him intimately but was unable to handle what he dished out.
The secrets between lovers are inevitable, according to Hawthorne. Not only are they a "must" but they are also of an evil and/or dark nature. What is it in human nature that creates this disharmony between "the fondest of lovers?" Is this due to a lack of honesty? A failure to relate? Overwhelming expectations? Self-depreciation? And who are the lovers? Is it Hooper and Elizabeth? Hooper and himself? Hooper and the maiden? Hooper and God? Hooper and the Devil? The Devil and God? Hooper and some unnamed entity or person? Humanity and Faith? Hooper and his congregation?
It seems that there are more questions than answers in this one sentence and I think it well captures the essence of the entire short story. It hints at intimacy regretted, futures not attained and loves not permitted. More than anything it speaks to the torment of a single mind, unable to break free of its unmentionable fetters.
# posted by Katja @ 2:42 PM 
