The Minster’s Black Veil

1. What is the topic of the first sermon Mr. Hooper gives while wearing the veil?
2. What does the story reveal about Puritan religious beliefs, rules of behavior, and values and ideas?
3. What does the black veil represent?
4. The minster is an ambiguous character: he can be seen as an innocent victim of others’ fears or as a man driven to isolate himself, convinced of his own moral superiority. Identify at least two details that support each perspective. Which interpretation do you find more compelling? Give reasons for your answers

He said it was because a private detective sees the dark side of human nature. but whatever the reason, gill landers had an innate suspicion of politicians. when senator randy brill walked into his office on that summer day in august, mopping his flushed features with a monogrammed handkerchief, gill could think of no good reason to change his attitude. he'd only met brill once. that had been two years ago at a country club reception for state political notables. since then, he'd learned all he wanted to know about the senator's sinister reputation. gill sat back in his chair, put his feet on his desk, and fought to keep a poker face. but there was no way he could stop the chill that coursed along his spine like a rush of ice water. 29. in this paragraph, the word notables probably signifies that the persons so described a. would like to be politicians. b. are wealthy people. c. have political influence. d. are contributors to charity.

1. a poem that tells a story irony 2. taking on human characteristics narrative 3. a direct comparison between two things personification 4. words that are opposite the thoughts in a speaker's mind simile 5. implied comparison introduced with "as" and "like idiom 6. one's own manner of speaking metaphor

How does the author characterize theseus in the story? cite evidence from the text in your response