Question

What effect does word choice have on the meaning of this excerpt from Benjamin Franklin's "A Witch Trial at Mount Holly"? But it being the general Belief of the Populace that the Women’s shifts and the Garters with which they were bound help’d to support them, it is said they are to be tried again the next warm Weather, naked. The phrase "they are to be tried again" creates a mood of anger. The phrase "the next warm Weather, naked" adds humor. The phrase "help'd to support them" makes the situation of the accused sound more hopeful. The phrase "the general Belief of the Populace" makes the citizens sound reasonable.

Answer 1

For future students the answer is The phrase "the next warm Weather, naked" adds humor. I can confirm this because I got an A+ on my quiz.

Answer 2

The answer is: The phrase "the next warm Weather, naked" adds humor.

In the excerpt from "A Witch Trial at Mount Holly," the author Benjamin Frankin makes a parody of Puritan society. He imitates the style of Protestant writers of the time with intentional exaggeration to create a comical effect.