Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God And The Minister's Black Veil

Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author who wrote, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” had a more effective sermon than the sermon that Jonathan Edwards wrote, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”Hawthorne demonstrated his sermon by not only preaching to his members, but by also wearing a black veil which symbolized secret sin. On the other hand, Edwards just preached to his congregation of sinners that the only thing standing between them and hell, is God himself.

The two themes both were similar because they both casted out a life lesson behind their sermon. The theme in “The Minister’s Black Veil” was that everyone has a secret sin; people focus too much on appearance of sinfulness instead of focusing on their problem of being quick to judge others.The theme in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” was that God has the power to send his people to hell if they don't repent.Correspondingly, the audience of each sermon were very shocked and disturbed at how they represented themselves just to get their point across.

Edwards inflicted his homily by being very energetic and by being very strict with his preaching, while reading his exhort the reader can tell he had put very much emphasis into his words to make them stand out more.

In addition, he also used very offensive word by telling the audience that “...hell is gaping for them”(Edwards 8-9). Hawthorne goes on to show his Puritans that no matter how righteous a person might look, everyone has a sin that knocks them down to the same level as everyone else, Hawthorne does this by having his main character, Rev. Hooper say, “ I look around me, and lo! On every visage a Black Veil”(Hawthorne 492). Hawthorne’s choice of diction also helped develop a well-structured

sermon.
Although it might be true that Hawthorne had a more effective style, others would disagree. Edwards’ sermon scared his people by saying, “ And there is no other reason to be given, why you have not dropped into hell since you aropse in the morning but that God’s hand has held you up”(101-103). This quotes goes on to show that the power of god is a fear in the sinners because he has the authority to send them to hell.
Hawthorne’s style was well presented throughout the text because he chose to write in third person omniscient and limited. The author tells you how the congregation feels about Mr. Hooper’s black veil, but keeps it limited at the same time by showing the thoughts of one character, which is Mr. Hooper. On the contrary, Edwards’ applied second point of view because he was speaking directly to his the audience.
In conclusion, the most effective author that had the most impact on his audience was author, Nathaniel Hawthorne because he presented to his audience more than he did verbally.
The author that had the least effect on the audience was author, Jonathan Edwards because he offended his audience more than he helped them.