Michelle Romero
English 48
Dr. Scott Lankford
Author: Nathanial Hawthorne
"'How strange,' said a lady, 'that a simple black veil, such as any woman might wear on her bonnet, should become such a terrible thing on Mr. Hooper's face!' 'Something muse surely be amiss with Mr. Hooper's intellects,' observed her husband, the physician of the village" (1314).
This quote reveals some of the actual conversation which took place between a lady and her husband in regard to their noticing Mr. Hooper's new black veil which he now wore upon his face.
I feel like this quote is full of gender-sensitive comments. For one, the lady acknowledges that this black veil (which by the way, everyone is creeped out by) would look normal on a woman. It is as though whatever "sin" or darkness represented by that black veil is expected of women. After all, before woman's suffrage, and certainly during this time period, women were inferior sinners. I would guess that the Puritans also, believing in the lack of self-control expressed by Eve when she partook of the deadly apple justified this view. However, on Mr. Hooper, this sort of thing was not proper, it was instead quite bothersome. Perhaps it bothered the crowd more because he was so forthright about his black veil (whatever it meant) and the civilized felt that those things should not be talked about, much less put on like an accessory.
The second thing to note is the husband's response to this. After the lady comments on the difference of such a thing being worn by a woman as opposed to being worn by a man, her husband resolves to say that Mr. Hooper must not be intelligent. Hmmm...to me this sounds like Mr. Hooper's choice to wear the black veil, a thing thus described as feminine, means he is inferior in intelligence? Something just doesn't add up. I think it is ever so subtle, but important to see the small implications of this brief commentary. I think that Mr. Hooper is being compared with females and thus being labeled as inferior, at least in intelligence.
On another note, the cross-dressing implication may be saying something about Mr. Hooper's femininity or coming out of the closet. Perhaps by putting on the feminine black veil, he is revealing something about his personality rather than hiding it. Perhaps that is what irritates the crowd so much, that he is so open about this black veil.
While there is something to read in to this passage to make a case for Mr. Hooper's being gay, I am at least certain that it expresses some judgments of the society in which they lived, in regard to gender.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Journal #10
Michelle Romero
Eng. 48, Dr. Scott
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"The people trembled, though they but darkly understood him, when he prayed that they, and himself, and all of mortal race, might be ready, as he trusted this young maiden had been, for the dreadful hour that should snatch the veil from their faces" (1314).
Hawthorne gives this description while the mourners circle 'round to view the dead woman at her funeral.
In this context, the black veil, being black and causes sadness everywhere Hooper goes, represents death and what is to come in the afterlife. Gothically of course, he emphasizes the gloom and horror death presents to the human life rather than a fanciful depiction of a yellow Heaven. In fact, this particular passage makes Judgment day an extremely fearful thing. In his language, he makes it seem like the person will actually be standing before everyone naked....being stripped of the black veil that covers them. In this way, the black veil does represent individual sin and how it separates one person from another, and from experiencing love or communion between eachother.
What is interesting is that Hooper prays that the people are ready for what is coming. This sense of urgency that his concern creates may also point to Hawthorne's interpretation of the end times as described in Revelations in the Christian Bible. This interpretation takes the black veil to another level of judgment, to ultimate judgment...AND it creates a fearful sense of the unknown and a present and eminent darkness or danger.
Hawthorne really puts a very dark and ugly face on sin and warns about the end of life, when each person will stand before God and be judged, virtually naked without a veil to hide behind.
It's pretty deep and dark...and I suppose, GOTHIC.
Eng. 48, Dr. Scott
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"The people trembled, though they but darkly understood him, when he prayed that they, and himself, and all of mortal race, might be ready, as he trusted this young maiden had been, for the dreadful hour that should snatch the veil from their faces" (1314).
Hawthorne gives this description while the mourners circle 'round to view the dead woman at her funeral.
In this context, the black veil, being black and causes sadness everywhere Hooper goes, represents death and what is to come in the afterlife. Gothically of course, he emphasizes the gloom and horror death presents to the human life rather than a fanciful depiction of a yellow Heaven. In fact, this particular passage makes Judgment day an extremely fearful thing. In his language, he makes it seem like the person will actually be standing before everyone naked....being stripped of the black veil that covers them. In this way, the black veil does represent individual sin and how it separates one person from another, and from experiencing love or communion between eachother.
What is interesting is that Hooper prays that the people are ready for what is coming. This sense of urgency that his concern creates may also point to Hawthorne's interpretation of the end times as described in Revelations in the Christian Bible. This interpretation takes the black veil to another level of judgment, to ultimate judgment...AND it creates a fearful sense of the unknown and a present and eminent darkness or danger.
Hawthorne really puts a very dark and ugly face on sin and warns about the end of life, when each person will stand before God and be judged, virtually naked without a veil to hide behind.
It's pretty deep and dark...and I suppose, GOTHIC.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Journal #9
Michelle Romero
Eng. 48, Dr. Scott Lankford
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"At that instant, catching a glimpse of his figure in the looking-glass, the black veil involved his own spirit in the horror with which it overwhelmed all others. His frame shuddered--his lips grew white--he spilt the untasted wine upon the carpet--and rushed forth into the darkness" (1315).
This is a passage describes Mr. Hooper noticing his reflection in a mirror while he was at a wedding ceremony, at his physical reaction to himself.
This passage to me shows the sadness in Mr. Hooper's life, and the absence of love. The context of this passage is a wedding ceremony right after he gives a toast to the couple on their happy day. And yet, there is sadness about it. However, Hooper experiences a change when he sees his "figure" and not actually his face. This fact may suggest that Hooper became in touch with his physical self and discovered his body, as more than just a temple for the Holy Spirit.
When Mr. Hooper sees his reflection, he has a rather odd reaction to himself. In fact, he spills the "untasted wine." Since wine is red, a color that is associated with love, we can infer that Hooper has not had a taste or experience of love. In a more Freudian interpretation, we can guess that he actually has sex with a woman who was a virgin, hence the wine (or blood that a woman may expel during first intercourse), is called "untouched." In addition, his body actually shudders and his lips go white, all physical reactions a body may have to sexual arousal. Therefore, PERHAPS the minister slept with the bride since this is all happening at her wedding! Then, he "rushed forth into the darkness," perhaps to go in hiding if their encounter happened in the evening, or perhaps this part could symbolize something else.
Either way, it's a theory.
Eng. 48, Dr. Scott Lankford
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"At that instant, catching a glimpse of his figure in the looking-glass, the black veil involved his own spirit in the horror with which it overwhelmed all others. His frame shuddered--his lips grew white--he spilt the untasted wine upon the carpet--and rushed forth into the darkness" (1315).
This is a passage describes Mr. Hooper noticing his reflection in a mirror while he was at a wedding ceremony, at his physical reaction to himself.
This passage to me shows the sadness in Mr. Hooper's life, and the absence of love. The context of this passage is a wedding ceremony right after he gives a toast to the couple on their happy day. And yet, there is sadness about it. However, Hooper experiences a change when he sees his "figure" and not actually his face. This fact may suggest that Hooper became in touch with his physical self and discovered his body, as more than just a temple for the Holy Spirit.
When Mr. Hooper sees his reflection, he has a rather odd reaction to himself. In fact, he spills the "untasted wine." Since wine is red, a color that is associated with love, we can infer that Hooper has not had a taste or experience of love. In a more Freudian interpretation, we can guess that he actually has sex with a woman who was a virgin, hence the wine (or blood that a woman may expel during first intercourse), is called "untouched." In addition, his body actually shudders and his lips go white, all physical reactions a body may have to sexual arousal. Therefore, PERHAPS the minister slept with the bride since this is all happening at her wedding! Then, he "rushed forth into the darkness," perhaps to go in hiding if their encounter happened in the evening, or perhaps this part could symbolize something else.
Either way, it's a theory.
Journal #8
Michelle Romero
Eng. 48, Dr. Scott Lankford
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"In this manner Mr. Hooper spent a long life, irreproachable in outward act, yet shrouded in dismal suspicions; kind and loving, though unloved, and dimly feared; a man apart from men" (1318).
This passage discusses how Mr. Hooper went about the town and lived his life with a black veil upon his face, separated from the men around him.
To support my earlier theory that Mr. Hooper represents the internal struggle ministers and other religious leaders face in refraining from sex, I point to this passage. Here, the reader begins to have sympathy for the minister and identify him as a man.
It is sad to think that others can give and receive love, but Mr. Hooper can not. No one loves Mr. Hooper back, although he is always giving of himself. It goes along with my first quote in journal #7, in that Hawthorne is describing how closely sex is related to a man's identity. In fact, here as Mr. Hooper stands unloved, he is described as a "man apart from men." It is almost like he is or feels like less of a man for not experiencing love....and of course, sexual intimacy is one of the highest forms of love communicated.
I almost wonder if Nathaniel didn't know some minister or religious official who struggled with abstinence or who even tried to resist sexual molestation or relations with a minor. I say this because of the news coverage that the Catholic church has received in past years, of priests having inappropriate sexual relations with young boys. I wonder if this text isn't one proof that this problem stems far back.
Eng. 48, Dr. Scott Lankford
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"In this manner Mr. Hooper spent a long life, irreproachable in outward act, yet shrouded in dismal suspicions; kind and loving, though unloved, and dimly feared; a man apart from men" (1318).
This passage discusses how Mr. Hooper went about the town and lived his life with a black veil upon his face, separated from the men around him.
To support my earlier theory that Mr. Hooper represents the internal struggle ministers and other religious leaders face in refraining from sex, I point to this passage. Here, the reader begins to have sympathy for the minister and identify him as a man.
It is sad to think that others can give and receive love, but Mr. Hooper can not. No one loves Mr. Hooper back, although he is always giving of himself. It goes along with my first quote in journal #7, in that Hawthorne is describing how closely sex is related to a man's identity. In fact, here as Mr. Hooper stands unloved, he is described as a "man apart from men." It is almost like he is or feels like less of a man for not experiencing love....and of course, sexual intimacy is one of the highest forms of love communicated.
I almost wonder if Nathaniel didn't know some minister or religious official who struggled with abstinence or who even tried to resist sexual molestation or relations with a minor. I say this because of the news coverage that the Catholic church has received in past years, of priests having inappropriate sexual relations with young boys. I wonder if this text isn't one proof that this problem stems far back.
Journal #7
Michelle Romero
Dr. Scott Lankford,
English 48A
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"In truth, his own antipathy to the veil was known to be so great, that he never willingly passed before a mirror, nor stooped to drink at a still fountain, lest, in its peaceful bosom, he should be affrighted by himself" (1317-18).
This passage refers to Mr. Hooper's actions in regard to the black veil he wore. Apparently, he could not stand the sight of the black veil or what it represented, and that is why he did not look in the mirror.
There is so much to interpret from this passage, but lets go for the clean version first. This passage somewhat echos Aristotle's famous quote: "The unexamined life is not worth living." While Aristotle believed that people should examine their life to find the faults in order to improve them, Hawthorne portrays how easily people can go about their day conciously or unconciously avoiding self-reflection. In fact, he takes it a step further by depiciting how horrible the self appears by using the image of the black veil and describing the "fright" of it.
Now, for my queer analysis....
I think this passage describes the internal "pent-up" feelings of a gay man in the closet, and the veil that is between him and soceity which hinders him from coming out. I am also willing to acknowledge the possibility that he is describing the frustration and struggle to refrain from sex as a minister, without regard to gener.
For one, he was disgusted by the veil, so that fact shows his frustration at the situation which separates him from his community. The passage also says that Mr. Hooper never stopped to look at a mirror, "nor stooped to drink at a still fountain, lest, in its peaceful bosom, he should be affrighted by himself." Two things are said here: 1) what he finds in his reflection and at the still fountain is peaceful and 2) what he finds at the still fountain reminds him of how different or separated he is from his community.
In support of my sex theory, any freudian will tell you that still water is perhaps symbolic of the peaceful orgasmic state one reaches in sex, and Mr. Hooper is describing his coming to drink at the still fountain a "peaceful bosom." Hawthorne's choice of word "bosom" reaffirms this freudian interpretation to suggest that Mr. Hooper was struggling to refrain from sex and possibly even sex with other men. In addition, the fact that Hawthorne uses the reflection of a mirror in this passage implies that this Mr. Hooper, at the still water, is the true Mr. Hooper, his true reflection, his true person. And yet, this black veil separates him from his community so that they never know him.
In a way, the black veil make represent social laws or etiquette that separate people from being real with one another.
Dr. Scott Lankford,
English 48A
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
"In truth, his own antipathy to the veil was known to be so great, that he never willingly passed before a mirror, nor stooped to drink at a still fountain, lest, in its peaceful bosom, he should be affrighted by himself" (1317-18).
This passage refers to Mr. Hooper's actions in regard to the black veil he wore. Apparently, he could not stand the sight of the black veil or what it represented, and that is why he did not look in the mirror.
There is so much to interpret from this passage, but lets go for the clean version first. This passage somewhat echos Aristotle's famous quote: "The unexamined life is not worth living." While Aristotle believed that people should examine their life to find the faults in order to improve them, Hawthorne portrays how easily people can go about their day conciously or unconciously avoiding self-reflection. In fact, he takes it a step further by depiciting how horrible the self appears by using the image of the black veil and describing the "fright" of it.
Now, for my queer analysis....
I think this passage describes the internal "pent-up" feelings of a gay man in the closet, and the veil that is between him and soceity which hinders him from coming out. I am also willing to acknowledge the possibility that he is describing the frustration and struggle to refrain from sex as a minister, without regard to gener.
For one, he was disgusted by the veil, so that fact shows his frustration at the situation which separates him from his community. The passage also says that Mr. Hooper never stopped to look at a mirror, "nor stooped to drink at a still fountain, lest, in its peaceful bosom, he should be affrighted by himself." Two things are said here: 1) what he finds in his reflection and at the still fountain is peaceful and 2) what he finds at the still fountain reminds him of how different or separated he is from his community.
In support of my sex theory, any freudian will tell you that still water is perhaps symbolic of the peaceful orgasmic state one reaches in sex, and Mr. Hooper is describing his coming to drink at the still fountain a "peaceful bosom." Hawthorne's choice of word "bosom" reaffirms this freudian interpretation to suggest that Mr. Hooper was struggling to refrain from sex and possibly even sex with other men. In addition, the fact that Hawthorne uses the reflection of a mirror in this passage implies that this Mr. Hooper, at the still water, is the true Mr. Hooper, his true reflection, his true person. And yet, this black veil separates him from his community so that they never know him.
In a way, the black veil make represent social laws or etiquette that separate people from being real with one another.
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