What is the tone in The Black Veil?

The tone of "The Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is somber, introspective, and tinged with an eerie, mysterious atmosphere. Throughout the story, there is a sense of melancholy that accompanies the protagonist, the Reverend Mr. Hooper, as he wears a mysterious black veil over his face, which becomes a symbol of his secret sin or burden. Hawthorne effectively creates a mood of contemplation and unease as the townspeople speculate about the reason behind Hooper's act and its impact on him and the community. The tone remains contemplative and thought-provoking as the consequences of Hooper's secrecy and the exploration of guilt and morality unfold.