3. Why is the minister's first sermon while wearing the black veil so disturbing to his

congregation, even though there was "nothing terrible in what Mr. Hooper said"?

What "unwonted attribute" in the minister does the congregation sense?

Mr. Hooper's first sermon is disturbing to the congregation because he speaks about "secret sins" that many people may have known or unknowingly performed.

The unwanted attribute in the minster that is sensed by the congregation is that of his secret sin which they suspect to be "adultery".

Explanation:

In the short story, "The Minister's Black Veil", reverend Mr. Hooper takes his first sermon while wearing a black veil that hides certain features of his face. This act aghast's everyone present in the church but no one dares to ask him about the same.

He addresses the congregation about the secret sins that take place in everyday life and how everyone tries to hide them under some facade.

This makes the congregation think and secretly think about the secret sins that Mr. Hooper may have also committed as he makes it public by wearing a black veil. They believe that he would be doing so and also giving a sermon on the same as he would have committed sins such as adultery. But they dare not confront him with questions.

Mr. Hooper wears the black veil because he has understood a truth of humanity according to which each one of us are sinful.

Explanation:

"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel, Hawthorne is a parable which 'Reverend Hooper' decides to fashion and wear a veil over his face. Although his congregations were not favoring it, Hooper decided not to remove the mask. He wears it doing services on street or in private companies. Hooper saw the world as dark and shadowy. He thinks that we all are full of sins and we think we could hide these sins even from God.

The way Hooper behaved raises questions about how we are different from others.

People do not understand the reason Hooper wears the mask. Their reactions are the result of the guilt they have over their own sins.