Religion plays a role in the lives of characters in many of the stories in Unit 2.

Question

Choose one of these stories and describe the way religion affects the characters and the plot.

Answer 1

One story in Unit 2 that explores the role of religion is "The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this story, Reverend Hooper wears a black veil over his face, which causes confusion and fear among his congregation. The veil symbolizes the guilt and shame that Reverend Hooper feels for his own sins, and it serves as a reminder to the congregation of their own sins and the need for repentance. The veil also serves as a barrier between Reverend Hooper and the rest of the community, as they are unable to understand his motivations and are afraid of him. This fear and confusion leads to a breakdown in communication and trust between the Reverend and his congregation, and ultimately leads to his isolation from the community. Religion thus plays a major role in the story, as it serves as a source of guilt and shame for Reverend Hooper, and a source of fear and confusion for the congregation.