Puritanism in “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards Essay Sample

Puritanism isn’t just a religion, it's a way of life. “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards shows two different ways to teach puritan values. They both compare and contrast the results of sin and loyalty of the puritans beliefs. I would describe Jonathan Edwards as angry and harsh but effective. While Parson Hooper bases his example on puritan beliefs by wearing the black veil and confusing the congregation during his sermon and after. Although Hawthorne’s style would be characterized as symbolic and gloomy, Jonathan Edwards changes the reader's understanding of Puritan ideals of religion by explaining aggressively what happens to the unsaved if you die.

Edward uses painful imagery within his story to ignite fear upon his audience. In the text it states, ¨There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hellś wide gaping mouth open..¨ This shows how he uses imagery to grant you a mental picture of hell in your head and bring fear upon you so that you know hell is real and convince you to believe and take your religion seriously. Hawthorne uses sad and gloomy imagery to show how secret sin can make you feel. In the text it states, “Thus from beneath the black veil there rolled a cloud into the sunshine, an ambiguity of sin or sorrow.” This conveys that Parson Hooper is alone and the veil is separating him from everyone, making him sad and lonely.

Edward goes on to use frightening diction to show how merciless God is, letting the audience know God won't spare anyone. He uses diction that leave you hopeless, making sure you know God is always in control. In the text he uses phrases like “without pity” and “if god should permit” to show this. He makes you feel like you have no choice but to rekindle your relationship with god or face being in hell or an “everlasting destruction” whenever god is ready. On the other hand, Hawthorne uses diction to show how Mr. Hooper's black veil caused fear in the people. In the text Hawthorne uses phrases like, “death-like paleness” and “tremulous hands” to show the people’s reactions to his veil. This shows that no one understood that his veil was to show his sin,  but it definitely brought fear and crepiness into the atmosphere anytime he was seen.

Furthermore, in the text, Edward goes on to use symbolism to create more fear and show our helplessness. In the text, he states, “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked.” This shows that we, humanity, stand to god. Just like the spider we are helpless and vulnerable, also comparing us to a spider showing the antipathy we feel for insects that that god begins to feel for us when sending us to hell. Contrarily, Hawthorne uses symbolism to help explain the deeper purpose of his text, secret sin. Parson Hooper wears a black veil to hide or well represent his secret sin. In the text it states, “I look around me and lo! On every visage a black veil.” This shows that everyone had that veil in reality, all of them were sinners they just wore there's a different way while he wore his veil physically. Yet, once death comes everyone's veil is cast aside because God knows all. So, though they aren’t wearing their veil physically he could see right through all the judgement. Everyone was just like him.

Thus, Hawthorne gave a good point about hiding secret sin by using the black veil as the symbol of secret sin and showing that everyone has them. Edward got his point across in his sermon by using his aggressive approach to get people to convert. Jonathan Edwards executed his theme very successfully and showed that Puritanism is definitely the way of life you should choose because if not you will burn in hell. Puritanism is only moral beliefs with expectations and a lot of discipline but you can always be saved by God though your end is predestined.