Question

He now dug into the poor clergyman's heart like a miner searching for gold; or. Rather, like a sexton delving into a grave, possibly in quest of a jewel that had been buried on the dead man's bosom, but likely to find nothing save mortality and corruption. What is the author comparing the action of digging into the clergyman's heart to?

1) A miner searching for gold
2) A sexton delving into a grave
3) A quest for a buried jewel
4) Finding mortality and corruption

Answer 1

The author is comparing the action of digging into the clergyman's heart to a sexton delving into a grave. This comparison suggests that the act of delving into the clergyman's heart is like uncovering something hidden or buried.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author is comparing the action of digging into the clergyman's heart to a sexton delving into a grave. This comparison suggests that the act of delving into the clergyman's heart is like uncovering something hidden or buried, possibly in search of a valuable jewel. However, the author also suggests that what is likely to be found is mortality and corruption, emphasizing the negative and dark aspects of the clergyman's heart.