The Minster’s Black Veil

1. What is the topic of the first sermon Mr. Hooper gives while wearing the veil?
2. What does the story reveal about Puritan religious beliefs, rules of behavior, and values and ideas?
3. What does the black veil represent?
4. The minster is an ambiguous character: he can be seen as an innocent victim of others’ fears or as a man driven to isolate himself, convinced of his own moral superiority. Identify at least two details that support each perspective. Which interpretation do you find more compelling? Give reasons for your answers