The Logistics of a Lesson

Parable: A short allegorical story designed to convey some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition). An author will often make a statement advising the audience to read in a manner suited for a parable to ensure the lesson is not overlooked. Hawthorne does this in The Minister’s Black Veil by deeming his story “A Parable” in the subtitle. Poe states in his Philosophy of Composition that he …showed first 75 words of 1203 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1203 total…was not. It was necessary to hear and see and touch him to be sure that he was not” (Poe, p.256). If they “woke up” from this dream, maybe they would recognize the false prophet who professed such extraordinary vanity. Similarly, the religious multitude was blinded by their own vanity and faith in appearances. Whatever the case, time will run out and everyone will be judged. Truth will over-shadow ignorance when the clock stops ticking.