The people in Reverend Hooper's congregation are confused because their minister's face is almost entirely obscured by a black veil. The veil appears to consist of two layers of crepe, which conceals everything but his chin and mouth.
As the people have never before seen their minister's face covered in such a way, they are perturbed, confused, and uneasy. To add to his congregation's discomfort, Reverend Hooper performs the morning and afternoon services without an explanation for his appearance. The people can't decide whether Reverend Hooper has gone mad or whether he is grappling with some unseen, malevolent presence. More than one woman leaves the congregation during the services.
Reverend Hooper's sermons about secret sin are alarming; furthermore, his solemn manner as he presides over a funeral and a wedding ceremony leave the people confused and frustrated. They collectively think that he is pronouncing some ominous judgment on them all. A 'deputation' of parishioners soon make their way to visit Reverend Hooper and to ascertain the cause of his disturbing appearance. However, the visit is far from illuminating, and the congregation begins to understand that Reverend Hooper will never show his face to them again for the rest of his life.
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