Mr. Hooper had the reputation of a good preacher, but not an energetic one: he strove to win his people heavenward by mild, persuasive influences rather than to drive them thither by the thunders of the word. The sermon which he now delivered was marked by the same characteristics of style and manner as the general series of his pulpit oratory, but there was something either in the sentiment of the discourse itself or in the imagination of the auditors which made it greatly the most powerful effort that they had ever heard from their pastor's lips. It was tinged rather more darkly than usual with the gentle gloom of Mr. Hooper's temperament. The subject had reference to secret sin and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and dearest, and would fain conceal from our own consciousness, even forgetting that the Omniscient can detect them.

Question

Mr. Hooper had the reputation of a good preacher, but not an energetic one: he strove to win his people heavenward by mild, persuasive influences rather than to drive them thither by the thunders of the word. The sermon which he now delivered was marked by the same characteristics of style and manner as the general series of his pulpit oratory, but there was something either in the sentiment of the discourse itself or in the imagination of the auditors which made it greatly the most powerful effort that they had ever heard from their pastor's lips. It was tinged rather more darkly than usual with the gentle gloom of Mr. Hooper's temperament. The subject had reference to secret sin and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and dearest, and would fain conceal from our own consciousness, even forgetting that the Omniscient can detect them.
A subtle power was breathed into his words. Each member of the congregation, the most innocent girl and the man of hardened breast, felt as if the preacher had crept upon them behind his awful veil and discovered their hoarded iniquity of deed or thought. Many spread their clasped hands on their bosoms. There was nothing terrible in what Mr.
Hooper said - at least, no violence; and yet with every tremor of his melancholy voice the hearers quaked. An unsought pathos came hand in hand with awe. So sensible were the audience of some unwonted attribute in their minister that they longed for a breath of wind to blow aside the veil, almost believing that a stranger's visage would be discovered, though the form, gesture and voice were those of Mr. Hooper.

Use the passage from "The Minister's Black Veil" to answer the question.
How does the author simultaneously develop the themes of hidden sin and underlying guilt in the passage?
(1 point)

by emphasizing the growing unease among the congregation at Mr. Hooper's appearance and the message of his sermon
by examining the role of the congregation to highlight the importance of forgiveness
by using sensory language to capture the emotional experience of Mr. Hooper upon his arrival at the church
by contrasting the terrifying nature of Mr.
Hooper's appearance with his persuasive style of speaking

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The author simultaneously develops the themes of hidden sin and underlying guilt in the passage **by emphasizing the growing unease among the congregation at Mr. Hooper's appearance and the message of his sermon**. Mr. Hooper's sermon on secret sin resonates deeply with the listeners, causing them to feel personally exposed and guilty. The text illustrates how his words and the somberness of his demeanor create a powerful sense of discomfort, making the congregation acutely aware of their own hidden iniquities.