“The Minister’s Black Veil”

by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Name: Airyck Dave C. Andilab
Degree & Year: BSED ENGLISH 3
1. State the beginning, middle and ending of the drama/play/story, The Ministers Black Veil by Nathaniel
Hawthorne
Beginning
Mr. Hooper, a preacher in the
town of Milford, Connecticut,
surprised his parishioners one
Sunday when he arrived to
deliver his sermon wearing a
black veil. This semi-
transparent covering covers
most of his face, leaving only
his mouth visible. His
parishioners are taken aback
by this and begin to speculate
as to why he has begun to
wear such a veil. The subject
of Hooper's sermon that day
is "hidden sin." Following the
sermon, Hooper continues to
wear the veil while officiating
at a young woman's burial and
then a wedding the next
night.
Score: _____________
ANALYSIS SHEET
Middle
Except for his soon-to-be
wife, Elizabeth, no one
dares to approach Mr
Hooper about his sudden
decision to begin concealing
himself behind the black
veil. The minister, on the
other hand, refuses to give
her a specific reason for
wearing it, only that he is
determined to wear it till his
death. When Elizabeth
requests that he lift it for
her, he declines, and she
breaks off their
engagement. Years pass,
and Mr Hooper's
parishioners pass away,
leaving him with a small
flock. He becomes elderly
and begins to be referred to
as 'Father Hooper' due to his
advanced age. Then he lies
on his deathbed, surrounded
by other holy men and his
patient wife, Elizabeth, who
has refused to wash her
hands of him and is now
compassionately nursing
him in his final moments.
End
Reverend Mr. Clark, one of
the persons gathered around
the minister's death bed,
tries to urge him to remove
the black veil from his face
while the last rites are
administered. Hooper, on
the other hand, marshals his
dying might to prevent
Clark from lifting the veil,
sobbing that he will never
be able to do so while he is
still 'on earth.' When
confronted about it, Hooper
says they shouldn't be afraid
by his veil alone since when
he stares at them, they're all
wearing black veils as well.
Hooper dies with the black
veil still covering his face,
having stunned everyone
around him with this
mysterious statement.
2. In the story, identify the pity, fear and catharsis notion.

Pity It is a pity that most people claimed to be righteous, kind, and

upright. But most of them did these acts for a show and have inner
evil thoughts inside them.

Fear The people feared Reverend Hooper for wearing a creepy black veil.

Catharsis/purgation Reverend Hooper sacrifices his dignity and prestige as a priest, just
to wear the black veil, just to make the people realize that they must
change their perspective in life.

3. Does the story writing follow the time, place and mood? Why?

Yes, the setting is set in the 1800s in Milford, Massachusetts which is a town southwest of Boston.
Throughout the story, the moods are creepy, sad, gloomy, and suspenseful.

4. Describe the characters and their roles.

Reverend Hooper The protagonist of “The Minister’s Black Veil,” Hooper is a young, mild-mannered
preacher in the town of Milford.

Elizabeth Elizabeth is Hooper’s fiancée at the beginning of the story. After he begins wearing

his veil, she is the only person in Milford who isn’t immediately afraid of him.

The young woman The young woman, who is being buried on the day that Hooper first wears

his veil, has no lines in “The Minister’s Black Veil” 

Minor Characters.

Mr. Joseph Moody Another clergyman who wears a veil. Hawthorne explains that Moody, a minister of

a town in Maine, does so because he accidentally killed his friend as a young man. Hawthorne adds,

cryptically, that Hooper’s veil has a different meaning than Moody’s.

Reverend Clark, a young priest from the nearby town of Westbury, is standing by Hooper’s bedside

when he dies. He asks Hooper what crime caused him to hide his face, and listens in shock and

amazement to Hooper’s response.

Squire Saunders an old member of the Milford community who usually invites Hooper to dine with him

after services, but doesn’t do so in the story because, it is strongly implied, once Hooper starts wearing

the veil.

The physician The physician thinks that Hooper is insane when he first puts on the veil, but also notes,

perceptively, that men are sometimes afraid to be alone with themselves, foreshadowing Hooper’s

discussion of sin and guilt.

The sexton The first person to notice that Hooper is wearing the veil, the sexton quickly draws the entire

town’s attention with his shocked response to Hooper’s changed appearance.

5. Identify areas that are contrived. Why?

Contrive Reason

Reverend Hooper Suddenly appears in the The Black veil symbolizes how sinful human
people wearing a black veil, which they find beings are.
intriguing and horrible.

6. What makes the play unique?

This story is really unique because it is really intriguing. The fact that the author uses the Black veil to
symbolize how sinful we are is really outstanding. Most people who read this story couldn’t figure
what’s the purpose of this black veil, and I’m one of them. Most people claimed to a righteous people
outside but so sinister inside. And the black veil reminded us that no matter what we did, we can’t just
deny the fact that we are living in a sinful world.

7. What theoretical lens can be utilized in criticizing the story? Express.

 The theoretical lens that could utilize in criticizing this story is Historical criticism. “The Minister's
Black Veil” is set in Milton, Massachusetts, a town in Puritan New England. The Puritans, a
Protestant sect, migrated to America in the 1610s and 20s, establishing small, strictly run
communities throughout New England. During this time, the priests have a big role in the
community, which is to make all the Christians equally close to God. At the same time, they also
put a strict emphasis on proper, godly behavior. It is clearly shown in the story how people act
as righteous and used the name of the church just to execute their malicious motive.
 “The Fall of the
House of Usher” by
Edgar Allan Poe
Name: Airyck Dave C. Andilab
Degree & Year: BSED- English 3rd Year
2. State the beginning, middle and ending of the drama/play/story, “The Fall of the House of Usher” by
Edgar Allan Poe.
Beginning
An nameless narrator visits
Usher's mansion, the
gloomy and enigmatic home
of his boyhood buddy
Roderick Usher, on a "dull,
dark, and soundless day."
The dying trees and muddy
ponds around the home
have given the property a
foreboding and unpleasant
aura, according to the
narrator. While the home is
rotting in some sections
(individual pebbles, for
example), he sees that the
structure is extremely
robust. There is a small
fissure between the roof
and the ground in front of
the structure. After receiving
a letter from his friend
Roderick requesting his
presence, he has returned to
the residence. Since
Roderick indicated that he
was physically and
emotionally sick, the
narrator is rushing to his
rescue. According to the
narrator, despite having an
ancient ancestry, the Usher
family has never prospered.
ANALYSIS SHEET
Middle
According to the narrator, the
inside of the house is just as eerie as
the outside. He makes his way to
Roderick's waiting room through the
long corridors. He notices Roderick
is paler and less energetic than he
used to be. Roderick tells the
narrator that he's worried and
scared, and that his senses are
heightened. According to the
narrator, Roderick looks to be
scared of his own surroundings.
Roderick's sister, Madeline, has
suffered a strange illness—possibly
catalepsy, or lack of limb control—
that the doctors have been unable
to cure. The narrator spends many
days trying to cheer up Roderick,
who is sad. He watches Roderick
play guitar and writes lyrics for his
songs, and he reads him stories, but
he can't make him feel better.
Roderick quickly states his belief
that the house is unhealthy, just as
the narrator had surmised at the
beginning of the story. Roderick
resolves to bury Madeline till she
dies in the graves beneath the
home. He wants to keep her at
home because he is frightened that
because her illness is so unusual, the
doctors will dig up her body for
Score: _____________
End
The narrator decided to
read to Roderick to pass the
time. He's currently reading
Sir Launcelot Canning's
medieval romance "Mad
Trist," and as he reads, he
hears noises that sound like
the descriptions in the story.
At first, he dismisses the
noises as figments of his
imagination. They become
increasingly visible, and he
can't ignore them any more.
Roderick is slumped in his
chair, muttering to himself,
and he notices it. Roderick is
approached by the narrator,
who pays attention to him.
Roderick goes on to say that
he has been hearing these
sounds for days and believes
Madeline has been buried
alive and is trying to leave.
From behind the door, he
cries that she is standing
there. As the wind breaks
open the door, revealing
Roderick's worries,
Madeline appears in white
robes, covered in blood
from her struggle. Roderick
succumbs to panic as she
 Only one member of the
Usher family has survived
from generation to
generation, resulting in a
direct line of descent with
no external branches.
People confuse the renters
with their home because the
Usher family has grown so
attached to their property.
scientific research. The narrator fights him, her life slipping
assists Roderick in burying away. The narrator flees the
Madeline's body, observing that she residence. As he flees, the
had pink cheeks after death, as entire home fractures along
some individuals do. Roderick and the frame split and crumbles
Madeline were twins, the narrator to the ground.
realizes. Over the next few days,
Roderick becomes increasingly
worried. One night, the narrator is
unable to sleep. Roderick knocks on
his door, appearing to be delirious.
He leads the narrator to the
window, where they see a bright-
looking gas surrounding the house.

2. In the story, identify the pity, fear and catharsis notion.

Pity  Madeline was deathly ill and no doctor can explain

 While the red blood moon rising, the usher mansion
suddenly collapse.
Fear  All the objects possess intelligence in the house of Usher.
 Roderick’s twin sister, who supposedly dies from a
mysterious illness escape from her tomb.

Catharsis/purgation The narrator helps Roderick to bury Madeline out of goodwill.

3. Does the story writing follow the time, place and mood? Why?

Yes, the story happened at night in the usher’s house. The mood is constantly tense because of
the unusual and supernatural events that occur throughout the story.

4. Describe the characters and their roles.

The narrator - is Roderick’s childhood friend. The narrator comes to visit Roderick in
order to cheer him up and restore his health. He is the only surviving witness to the
events of the story.

Roderick Usher - is a hypochondriac who is plagued by guilt at the prospect of having

 buried Madeline alive.

Madeline Usher - is Roderick’s twin sister, who supposedly dies from a mysterious
illness. After escaping from her premature burial, she seeks out Roderick, and the last two
Ushers die together.

Physician - The Usher family doctor isn't named and appears only once early in the
story, when he meets the narrator, who describes his expression as combining "low
cunning and perplexity." This indicates he is genuinely confused by Madeline's condition,
but also suggests he may be taking advantage of the family.

Servants - The Ushers' servants appear only briefly at the start of the story, and it is
unclear exactly how many servants the Ushers have. The narrator mentions one taking his
horse and a valet who leads him through the house. Neither are named nor described
(beyond the valet's "stealthy step"), and they disappear once the narrator is ensconced
within the house.

6. Identify areas that are contrived. Why?

Contrive Reason

 Madeline moves into the house

without the narrator noticing it.
It is all supposedly a nightmare. Because it is so
 There’s no trace behind after the
obvious that the narrator is so unreliable.
Usher house collapse

8. What makes the play unique?

It is so unique in the sense that the narrator is unreliable that it enables the narrator to make the story
more intense by making readers less able to count on someone to guide them through the story.

9. What theoretical lens can be utilized in criticizing the story? Express.

Psychological lens

From a psychoanalytic perspective, it is evident that there are several deeper meanings
underlying Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher. In all the crazy things that happened
in the Usher House, the narrator didn’t notice Madeline who is roaming around to the sudden
destruction of the usher house. The narrator seems quite fearful of his surroundings. Madeline also
shows some unusual behavior which is the cause of her unidentified illness.
 “Address Delivered at the
Dedication of the Cemetery at
Gettysburg” by Abraham
Lincoln
 Name: AIRYCK DAVE C. ANDILAB Score: _____________
Degree & Year BSED ENGLISH III

POEM ANALYSIS SHEET

Title of the Poem

Address Delivered at the Dedication of the Cemetery at Gettysburg

Author Year Published

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln

Brief Life of the Poet

Abraham Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky, on February 12, 1809. He was born in Kentucky and
raised in Indiana and Illinois. Lincoln was entirely self-educated, as his parents were poor pioneers. He
graduated from law school in 1836 and began practicing law in Springfield, Illinois. He served in the state
assembly from 1834 to 1842 before being elected to Congress in 1846, where he represented the Whig Party
for a term. In 1856, he joined the fledgling Republican Party and was encouraged to run for president in 1860.
Lincoln delivered one of the most famous addresses in American history on November 19, 1863, at the
dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Word/s or Line/s that Caught your Eye

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have
thus far so nobly advanced.

Theme

The theme of the speech are all about human equality, life and death
Tone

Devoted, Humble and reverent

Poetic Devices

Metaphor
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Alliteration
“our fathers brought forth” “new nation”

Reflection

Abraham Lincoln is truly a great character. Even though his parents were pioneers, he was persistent and
became a lawyer in less than a few years. The one aspect that gives me a chill is that he invoked the
principles of human equality. He was a man of virtue, recognizing the lives and efforts of the people who
died to protect the nation. He is a star in the dark sky who guides people in the right direction and removes
their despair. My reflection on the speech is as short as the speech of Lincoln, because no words can describe
his good intentions towards his nation.