Thesis Ideas
There's a good chance your "Minister's Black Veil" thesis ideas will revolve around...the black veil.
The black veil represents... - this is where you finish the sentence. It might represent secret sin. It could represent the barrier that prevents humans from truly knowing each other. It could symbolize the lack of connection between ecclesiastical leaders and those whom they lead. It could represent man's potential being overshadowed by wickedness. The ambiguity of the veil leaves it open for discussion.
Reverend Hooper is a broken minister - this angle begs for a comparison with Hawthorne's other famous minister, the Reverend Dimmesdale from the Scarlet Letter. Perhaps Hooper committed a sin and is trying to inform the public, but he doesn't have the courage to come right out and say it. He attempts to relieve his guilty conscience by wearing the veil, knowing deep down inside, however, that the people will not assume that he has sinned.
The veil makes Hooper a better minister - The veil isolates the reverend from human company, allowing him to understand the isolation one feels from god after having committed sin.
What's your idea for a thesis?