Miss Polly Baker Analysis

Many historical events were taking place at the time in history the “Miss Polly Baker and “The Minister’s Black Veil” were written. For one, there was not a severance of church and state as of yet. In this essay, I will attempt to elaborate on the content and the similarities in these well-known pieces of American literature.

In “The Speech of Polly Baker”, a woman by the name of Miss Polly Baker has had enough! “She is being dragged before the courts yet another time of having sexual intercourse while being unmarried.” (Norton) This speech was addressed to the courts, especially the judges, one of whom she had one of her five children with. This speech was in hopes that she could avoid this ridiculous fine that she’d be paying for the fifth

time. How could anyone prove it since there were no video cameras during that time period? Maybe an eyewitness caught her in the act? No, she birthed a child in this world, her fifth child! Miss Polly was shunned in the community and because he children were born out of wedlock, the children were spurned as well. Miss Polly admitted guilt, how could she not? A child is proof that she committed the crime, wouldn’t one say? The crime in itself is ridiculous! She also exclaimed why she was being punished and the men that she had the children with go unrestricted and unpunished. Did they not commit the same act? Lastly it was argued that her offense is not a worldly offense, but a Biblical offense. “You believe I have offended heaven and must suffer eternal fire” (Norton) Miss Polly is then forfeited of her ridiculous charges and then next day, she marries a judge!
“It was good to see the defense speech of Benjamin Franklin's timeless heroine Miss Polly Baker makes an appearance.” (New York Times)
“Benjamin Franklin wrote this piece to warrant attention of the unfairness of the penal system. How do you punish only the woman for a crime of fornication when she can’t do it unless another man is there to help?” (Yahoo) Benjamin Franklin himself was a child conceived out of wedlock as well so this issue was near and dear to him. “This piece takes place pre American Revolution. “(Wikipedia)
In the piece, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” a well-respected Minister by the title of Rev. Hooper is troubled in his spirit. He was a minister of “mild persuasion” (Hawthorne, The Minister's Black Veil) which matched his neatly pressed suit; after all he was “dressed with neatness.” (Norton) The minister used to be invited to dinner and weddings very frequently until one day he showed up with a black veil over his face. The townspeople were astonished! During a funeral of a young maid, he comes draped in the veil with all his facial features covered except his mouth and chin and gives a powerful sermon on hiding secrets, clearly parallel to what he was doing. His fiancé asked him to remove his veil; he replied “he must wear it until eternity, when all people will remove their veils.” (Mazzeno) This parable teaches that everyone has some dark hidden secret that they prefer to keep secret. On his deathbed, he made a revelation that he could see veils on everyone else in the room.
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote this piece to illustrate the evil in every man. It is believed that this story really did take place. “Joseph Moody, a minister supposedly unintentionally killed a friend and so like, Rev. Hooper, he wore a black veil until his demise.” (Hawthorne, The Minister's Black Veil)
Some critiques of Nathaniel Hawthorne were reared from Edgar Allen Poe.

Edgar Allen Poe was known for his annoyance of allegories, his literary works and his alcoholism.” (Elbert) Poe writes that Hawthorne has "high imaginations gleam from every page” but needs to develop more in his writing. (Elbert)

These pieces, “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker” and “The Minister’s Black Veil” have many differences such as the time they were written but many similarities as well. Both of main characters in this story are very unhappy people. Miss Baker is unhappy because all the men that she trusted in slept with her and then forsook her. Rev. Hooper’s unhappiness stems from his religion. The Law condemns!

There is also the stench of “judgementalness” and loneliness reeking from the pages. Take Miss Polly Baker, she has five children of whose fathers have forsaken her and the children. She doesn’t ask the community for a dime of support, hasn’t slept with anyone’s husband or underage boy. Yet, she is ridiculed by the community of being a “whore” and even her children are looked at as unworthy although they’re the most innocent of them all. Miss Polly and her children have no other choice but to keep to themselves. Miss Polly Baker has even been barred from participating in communion at the church! Rev. Hooper is well respected among the community and as aforementioned, “highly esteemed.” (Hawthorne, Eldritch Press) There was no proof he committed a sin other than that he was human. As soon as he wore the black veil, he was gossiped about. His fiancé left him yet ironically ended up being his nurse on his deathbed. He used to be invited to dinners and weddings, no gets no invitations for

anything.
Both of these characters also face an incredible deal of hypocrisy! Everyone I believe on this earth has something hidden deep within that God wouldn’t even know it he wasn’t “All Knowing.” Yet the minister is judged for having a dark secret when all mankind and especially the people in his room have something that they are hiding as well. He says “why do tremble at me alone- tremble also at each other” He’s letting people know, you have the same thing going on that I have, yet you are afraid of me and not yourselves nor each other. In the Bible, the “judge not” scripture is really saying, with the same manner of judgment you pass on others, use on yourself.” Miss Molly Baker was getting charged for a “religious crime” yet she harmed not a soul. Sure she had five children out of wedlock but she didn’t create the children by herself! Only the women get charged for having illegitimate children and not men. How unfair was that! To add insult to injury, one of the children’s fathers’ was a judge. Don’t enforce laws that you won’t abide by! If the law is good enough for a woman, it should be for a man as well! Both characters have been forsaken by their significant others though in the end, Miss Polly Baker marries a judge. Miss Polly Baker was promised to have to hand taken in marriage but was let down even time. Rev. Hooper’s fiancé left him when he refused to take the veil off.
I find both of these pieces appealing and can relate to them both! They had more similarities between them than what I imagined. I like Miss Polly Baker, had a child out of wedlock. I took it upon myself to remove myself from activities of the church such as the choir and being at the forefront until about six months after I was due. I had one lady come up to me, and tell me that I shouldn’t even come to church. My grandmother spoke up for me as I am respectful always to my elders. I thought all were welcomed in the Lord’s house! Grandmother, in private, though I eavesdropped, reminded her of a time, she got pregnant and she still came to church so why couldn’t I. I, you as a reader and everyone that is of age have at least one secret. I as a Christian, even though I have sinned, will not walk in shame and will continuously in the grace of Jesus Christ! I am not under the Law! The veil in the Bible separates the Holy of Holy. “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was rent.” ("God") The veil has already be torn so why would I find one to put on? God had moved out the temple and there was no more need for a middle man to talk to God. We now can phone God directly!