At length Elizabeth sat silent. For a few moments she appeared lost in thought, considering, probably, what new methods might be tried to withdraw her lover from so dark a fantasy, which, if it had no other meaning, was perhaps a symptom of mental disease.

Question

Though of a firmer character than his own, the tears rolled down her cheeks. But in an instant, as it were, a new feeling took the place of sorrow: her eyes were fixed insensibly on the black veil, when like a sudden twilight in the air its terrors fell around her. She arose and stood trembling before him.
"And do you feel it, then, at last?" said he, mournfully.
She made no reply, but covered her eyes with her hand and turned to leave the room.
He rushed forward and caught her arm.
"Have patience with me, Elizabeth!" cried he, passionately. "Do not desert me though this vell must be between us here on earth. Be mine, and hereafter there shall be no veil over my face, no darkness between our souls. It is but a mortal veil; it is not for eternity. Oh, you know not how lonely I am, and how frightened to be alone behind my black veil!
Do not leave me in this miserable obscurity for ever."
"Lift the veil but once and look me in the face," said she.
"Never! It cannot be!" replied Mr. Hooper.
"Then farewell!" said Elizabeth.
She withdrew her arm from his grasp and slowly departed, pausing at the door to give one long, shuddering gaze that seemed almost to penetrate the mystery of the black veil. But even amid his grief Mr. Hooper smiled to think that only a material emblem had separated him from happiness, though the horrors which it shadowed forth must be drawn darkly between the fondest of lovers.

Use the passage from "The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne to answer the question.
Which statement analyzes how Mr.
Hooper's moral dilemma influences the theme of the story?
(1 point)
Mr. Hooper's decision to refuse to do what Elizabeth asks develops a theme related to confronting one's hidden desires.
Mr. Hooper's decision to keep the veil and lose Elizabeth supports a theme related to adhering to one's moral ideals.
Mr. Hooper's decision to reject
Elizabeth develops a theme related to being brave in the face of adversity.
Mr. Hooper's decision to tell
Elizabeth why he wears the veils supports a theme related to the importance of being honest.

Answer 1

The statement that best analyzes how Mr. Hooper's moral dilemma influences the theme of the story is:

Mr. Hooper's decision to keep the veil and lose Elizabeth supports a theme related to adhering to one's moral ideals.

This choice underscores Mr. Hooper's internal struggle between personal relationships and his commitment to his own beliefs and moral principles, represented by the veil that symbolizes hidden sin and the inability to wholly connect with others.