“The Custom House” Response In Nathaniel Hawthorn’s introduction to the Scarlet Letter, “The Custom House,” he mentions the corruption of the system of appointment of officers within the custom- house. In the sentence, “Uncle Cam’s gold-meaning no disrespect to the worthy old gentleman-has, in this respect, a quality of enchantment like that of the Devil’s “ages,” Hawthorne says that Uncle Cam’s money is like the devil’s wages.
Uncle Sam s a metaphor for America, and Hawthorne is implying that American money is founded upon sinful acts of corruption. Historically this is accurate, as our nation was almost entirely based on the Spoil System-a system in which people in power appointed close friends and family to other positions. Hawthorne is also Implying that the Custom-House in which the main character (and, by extension, himself) Norms uses the same, Satanic Spoil System. In essence, Hawthorne believes that all of the people in the Custom-House are corrupt people and are only there as a result of his system. The Minister’s Black Veil” Response Nathaniel Hawthorn’s short story, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” demonstrates an intersecting relationship between the citizens of the town and the black veil over the minister’s face. This Is given In the quote at the end by the minister: “Why do you tremble at me alone? ” cried he, turning his veiled face round the circle of pale spectators. “Tremble also at each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil? What, but the mystery
Inch It obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his Inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! Look around me, and, 10! On every visage a Black Veil! ” (Hawthorne) In the above excerpt, the minister criticizes the people of the town for being so critical of him Just because he covers his face with a veil.
He says that they are overly-concerned with the uncertainty that comes with the veil. Their fear of the unknown sparks them to be :railcar of him and search for explanations. This Is an Intersecting relationship between the people and the veil, as Its pure presence causes them to think differently and explore the reasoning behind Its existence from the minister’s point of new. Engages,” Hawthorne says that Uncle Cam’s money is like the devil’s wages. Uncle Sam appointed close friends and family to other positions.
Hawthorne is also implying the minister’s face. This is given in the quote at the end by the minister: “Why do you Inch it obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does critical of him and search for explanations. This is an intersecting relationship between the people and the veil, as its pure presence causes them to think differently and explore the reasoning behind its existence from the minister’s point of view.
