Question

The Minister’s Black Veil Lines 11-15: Theme is the central message of a work of literature. A writer develops theme through the introduction and development of characters and the building of plot. What happens in these lines that begins to build the plot?

A) The minister unveils his face to reveal a mysterious symbol.
B) The townspeople react with fear and suspicion to the minister's veil.
C) The minister's veil symbolizes hidden sins and introduces an element of mystery.
D) The plot introduces a romantic relationship between the minister and a townsfolk.

Answer 1

The theme of 'The Minister's Black Veil' begins to develop in lines 11-15 through the townspeople's reaction of fear and suspicion, which leads to themes of mystery and hidden sins.

Step-by-step explanation:

When analyzing literature, theme is a crucial element as it represents the central message or the unifying idea of the story. It is woven through the narrative and developed by utilizing various literary elements such as plot, characters, and conflicts. In the context of 'The Minister's Black Veil', between lines 11-15, the plot begins to develop the theme by showcasing a reaction from the townspeople. The appropriate choice relevant to these lines is B) The townspeople react with fear and suspicion to the minister's veil. This reaction introduces themes of mystery, fear, and the consequences of visible versus hidden sins. The veil stands as a symbol of this larger idea, which targets the heart of the theme regarding human nature and society's reaction to the unknown or misunderstood.