Question

Read the excerpt from Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil," and then answer the question. "He entered with an almost noiseless step, bent his head mildly to the pews on each side, and bowed as he passed his oldest parishioner….It was strange to observe how slowly this venerable man became conscious of something singular in the appearance of his pastor." What is the BEST meaning of venerable as it is used in the excerpt? A. noble B. respected C. notorious D. traditional

Answer 1

The best meaning of venerable as it is used in the excerpt from Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil," is respected. So the right answer would be option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

This short story by Hawthorne draws the picture of Puritan New England. The themes of morality, sin and repentance create the backdrop of this story and move through the entire plot. Mr. Hooper, the main character of the story helps in blending the themes so well from the beginning till the end. He dons a black veil to hide his secret sin and is fearful to look at any one. That is why the reaction of other people towards this venerable man changes. Hawthorne uses this reaction to criticize the Puritan image of original sin. The veil represents the inherent sinful nature of all people.