Why does the Reverend Mr Hooper mysteriously dawn a black veil and never take it off in public?

Nathaniel Hawthorne Today on the Classic Tales Podcast.

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Dealing with the concepts of sin, repentance, and morality,

and set in Puritan New England,

the veil in today's story is a critique of the Puritan's

concept of original sin. The acrimonious reaction of the townspeople to the minister's

behavior easily lends itself to exploring these concepts.

I hope you like it.

And now, the minister's black veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Ministers Black Vale, a Parable.

The Ministers Black Vale, a parable.

The sexton stood in the porch of Milford Meeting House, pulling lustily at the bell rope. The old people of the village came stooping along the street.

Children with bright faces tripped merrily beside their and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on weekdays.

When the throng had mostly streamed into the porch, the sexton began to toll the bell, keeping

his eye on the Reverend Mr Hooper's door. The first glimpse of the

clergyman's figure was the signal for the bell to cease, it summons. But what is good

parson Hooper got upon his face?

cried the sext in an astonishment.

All within hearing immediately turned about and beheld the semblance of Mr Hooper, pacing slowly his meditative way towards the meeting-house.

With one accord they started, expressing more wonder than if some strange minister were coming to dust the cushions of Mr Hooper's pulpit.

...