Among all its bad influences, the black veil had the one desirable effect of making its wearer a very efficient clergyman. By the aid of his mysterious emblem—for there was no other apparent cause—he became a man of awful power over souls that were in agony for sin. His converts always regarded him with a dread peculiar to themselves, affirming, though but figuratively, that before he brought them to celestial light they had been with him behind the black veil. Its gloom, indeed, enabled him to sympathize with all dark affections. Dying sinners cried aloud for Mr. Hooper and would not yield their breath till he appeared, though ever, as he stooped to whisper consolation, they shuddered at the veiled face so near their own. Such were the terrors of the black veil even when Death had bared his visage. Strangers came long distances to attend service at his church with the mere idle purpose of gazing at his figure because it was forbidden them to behold his face. But many were made to quake ere they departed. Once, during Governor Belcher’s administration, Mr. Hooper was appointed to preach the election sermon. Covered with his black veil, he stood before the chief magistrate, the council and the representatives, and wrought so deep an impression that the legislative measures of that year were characterized by all the gloom and piety of our earliest ancestral sway.
Question
How does the author use satire to develop meaning in this paragraph?(1 point)
Responses
The author satirizes Calvinist beliefs about the bleakness of the world and the power of sin by describing the veil’s mysterious power.
The author satirizes Calvinist beliefs about the bleakness of the world and the power of sin by describing the veil’s mysterious power.
The author satirizes the doctrine of separation of church and state by describing the minister’s invitation to give the election sermon.
The author satirizes the doctrine of separation of church and state by describing the minister’s invitation to give the election sermon.
The author satirizes the role of the clergy by describing Mr. Hooper as sympathetic to the agony of others.
The author satirizes the role of the clergy by describing Mr. Hooper as sympathetic to the agony of others.
The author satirizes Mr. Hooper’s hypocrisy by describing how the veil changed him.
The author satirizes Mr. Hooper’s hypocrisy by describing how the veil changed him.
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1 answer
The correct response is:
The author satirizes Calvinist beliefs about the bleakness of the world and the power of sin by describing the veil’s mysterious power.
This choice captures the essence of the author’s critique of the somber view of human nature in Calvinism as reflected in Mr. Hooper's influence and the reactions of those around him.
