Nathaniel Hawthorne expresses dark thoughts most profoundly in his writings of "The Minister's Black Veil", "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" and "Young Goodman Brown." Clouded and delusional passages bring forth Hawthorne's hidden depression and despise for life. Man's inner workings of the darker side of personality are illustrated throughout the following stories.
Mr. Hawthorne first daunts the reader with a parable titled "The Minister's Black Veil." This story depicts a man who has a troubled life. Reverend Hooper decides to shield himself from the world by a simple piece of black crape. This decision leads to a heavy change of the public's perception of him. He is able to live the choice that severs him from the rest of the community. The black veil is most likely a symbol that he has sinned and finds it is acceptable to hold back his secrets just as Mother Nature has its own mysteries. This is confirmed as Reverend Hooper speaks these words "For the Earth, too, had on her Black Veil." ("MBV" 298). He is also an unstable man, he knows not how he affects the public's perception and the way they follow his guidance, "I can't really feel as if good Mr. Hooper's face was behind that piece of crape." ("MBV" 294). Hawthorne uses Mr. Hooper as a character to express his own life experiences of pain, suffering and mental torture.
Reverend Hooper believes that no man or woman is completely honest with their God, their friends, their family or themselves. They always keep a certain part of themselves hidden, secreted away where they think no one can find it. This is used to defend oneself and only by hiding these thoughts, desires and beliefs can people feel at peace with the world and with themselves.
Hawthorne yet again expresses his pain when Dr. Heidegger brings mental anguish to his four patients through the Fountain of Youth. Heidegger taunts his patients with the wonders of the Fountain of Youth, allows them to experience it, but fails to mention its effects wear off far too soon.