Question

Read this excerpt from chapter 2 of The Scarlet Letter. Standing on that miserable eminence, she saw again her native village, in Old England, and her paternal home; a decayed house of gray stone, with a poverty-stricken aspect, but retaining a half-obliterated shield of arms over the portal, in token of antique gentility. What is the effect of the underlined words in this excerpt

Answer 1

Answer:

c. They portray a former setting with humility and dignity.

Explanation:

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlett Letter," tells the story of Hester Prynne and her 'punishment' for committing adultery. The novel deals with themes of society, religion, good vs. bad, patriarchy, societal criticism, patriarchy, etc.

In the given excerpt from Chapter 2 of the story, Hester saw "her native village, in Old England". This description of her old home, the reminiscing of her childhood helped her 'escape' the reality of being paraded in the marketplace. The imagery in this section of the story portrays the former home of the protagonist, in a dignified and humble manner.

Thus, the correct answer is option c.