Symbolism is expressed in the theme of Hawthorne's short story, "the Minister's Black Veil." This use of symbolism is very evident in the black veil of Mr. Hooper. Although there is no right or wrong answer to what the veil represents, I will share with you my feelings on the subject.
Some people believe that the veil was used by Mr. Hooper to symbolize hie "secret sin." I believe this is one of the main reasons for his wearing of the veil. I also believe what is said in this exert from Reoccurring Themes and Symbols In Different Works By Nathaniel Hawthorne:.
What Hawthorne wants the reader to draw from the stories is not so much that adultery is bad or that secret sin is bad . The message is really that the Puritan reaction to sin is wrong. Hawthorne would have said that people should investigate the private sin in their own life before they went around condemning other people for their sin that became public. Before condemning someone else for wearing a black veil, you should remember that you wear one as well. .
Mr. Hooper's reason for wearing the veil was a mystery to the other characters in the story as well as the reader. The manner in which he did this was stated well in the essay "The Minister's Black Veil";.
Father Hooper wears a black veil over his eyes and nose, never revealing the reason of the veil to a soul. At times, the sexton would insinuate a reason behind the veil but never revealing the answer to the mystery.
Hawthorne also used the veil to show the intolerance and cruelty of Puritanism, like when children would stop playing games and run away from Mr. Hooper (Hall p.323). The cruelty of the Puritans was shown when Mr. Hooper told them that he sees in every visage a black veil (McFarland).
In conclusion, I would like to say, the best way to describe the veil in the story is a quote from The Artist's Symbol And Hawthorne's Veil: " The Minister's Black Veil" Resartus by William Freedman, "the meaning of the veil consists only in what is hidden, meaning is lost in the very act of revelation.