Question

There was nothing auspicious about anne hutchinson’s appearance as she stood in the doorway alongside several male relatives and supporters, awaiting the start of the trial. she was forty-six years old, of average height and bearing, with an unremarkable face. her petticoat fell almost to the ground, revealing only the tips of her leather boots. against the cold she wore a wool mantua, or cloak. a white coif covered her hair, as was the custom of the day. besides that and her white linen smock and neckerchief, she wore all black. she was a stranger to no one present, having ministered as midwife and nurse to many of their wives and children. all knew her to be an active member of the church of boston, the wife of the wealthy textile merchant, william hutchinson, the mother of twelve living children, and the grandmother of one, a five-day-old boy who just that sunday had been baptized. there was, in short, no outward sign to show she was an enemy of the state.

a) to show that she wore what was considered typical for women
b) to show that she spent more time on her dress than she should have
c) to show that she was dressed as if she were better than her neighbors
d) to show that she looked different from other women in her community

Answer 1

Anne Hutchinson's typical attire illustrated that despite her ordinary appearance, she held revolutionary religious beliefs that eventually led to her banishment as a heretic from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Step-by-step explanation:

The description of Anne Hutchinson's appearance as she awaited trial serves to illustrate option (a): to show that she wore what was considered typical for women of her time and place.

Her attire, consisting of a petticoat, leather boots, a wool mantua, and a white coif, does not stand out compared to her community's standards, emphasizing that despite her ordinary appearance, she was an extraordinary figure in terms of her beliefs and actions.

Anne Hutchinson challenged the religious establishments of the Massachusetts Bay Colony by criticizing the prevailing religious practices and espousing her Antinomian views, for which she was eventually banished and labeled as a heretic. Her story demonstrates that even those who may look conventional can hold revolutionary ideas and influence the course of history.