The harm that can come from assumptions is far greater than most people today realize. “The Minister's Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short story that shows the sad truth of how society creates false assumptions about others. Throughout the story, the townspeople's assumptions about Mr. Hooper cause them and Mr. Hooper much anguish and pain. During the last scene of the story, Mr. Hooper lies in his deathbed with Westbury's minister, Elizabeth, and a handful of others by his side. The Westbury minister tries to convince Mr. Hooper to remove her veil. Mr. Hooper refuses, shouting, "Never... On earth never!" (7). The minister exclaims, “What a horrible crime you are passing judgment on,” which causes Mr. Hooper to express his feelings about the village (7). He was disgusted that they were so concerned about his veil that they began to avoid him. From this death scene, the reader begins to notice all the tragic consequences caused by the village's assumptions about Mr. Hooper. Hooper's girlfriend, Elizabeth, makes an announcement...