Question

Read the excerpt relating to Reverend John Wilson from Chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter. The voice which had called her attention was that of the revered and famous John Wilson, the eldest clergyman of Boston, a great scholar, like most of his contemporaries in the profession, and withal a man of kind and genial spirit. This last attribute, however, had been less carefully developed than his intellectual gifts, and was, in truth, rather a matter of shame than self-congratulation with him. What does the excerpt reveal about Reverend John Wilson?

Answer 1

Explanation:John Wilson believes that words and actions based on the intellect are superior to those based on emotions"

Answer 2

You forgot the options, but I found them anyways, the correct answer is "John Wilson believes that words and actions based on the intellect are superior to those based on emotions".

John Wilson is depicted as an extremely intelligent man. The point of the excerpt is to make a sort of distinction between emotional and rational intelligence. He happens to have both attributes, but he clearly favors his intellectual gifts. At the same time, because of his religious background, he's a little bit conflicted with this and it makes him ashamed.

Hope this helps!