Wonder and Mystery

There is an air of mystery from the begining of this story. It is Sunday, services are about to start when the parishners notice that there minister has a black veil on.
This veil makes the people wonder what may be wrong with the minister or even if it their minister at all. " Are you sure it is our parsons?"
Most importantly what is it the minister is wanting to hide? Is there a sin that he wishes to hide from? This little peice of cloth changes the whole persona of the minister. From the accounts of the story, the minister was an outgoing and personable gentleman and not gloomy at all. Now for the most part ministers are already dressed mostly in black and the veil just adds to the mystery on sunday moring. Sunday morning services are supposed to be full of light, praising God; this would be contrary to atmostphere of the morning. For the funeral scene the veil is enhances the mood of the moment. Something like the black veil would not be questioned. With the veil the minister can see the dead women in the casket, his eyes watching the dead, making peace with the dead.
Just one peice of cloth discourages people from talking to the minister, kids make fun of him, people talk about him and yet they do not ask as to why he wearing the veil, at first. Elizabeth made the attempt to find out but was unsuccesful. For catholics, confessing ones sins is an important part the their religion. The black veil is just like a confessional, in which the priest is conceiled behing a closed door and a screen. People can confess their sins, he can visit the dying so they can confess.
The veil hides the eyes, the mouth is were truth comes from. Even on their own death beds, people flinch at the sight of the veil, but comfort and truth give them relief. The moral of this story should be, its not on the outside what counts, but whats on the inside.