In “The Minister’s Black Veil,” the minister’s fiancée, Elizabeth, tries to get Hooper to remove the veil. In this passage, he explains why he cannot. In which sentence is Hooper’s argument for keeping the veil best summed up?
From “The Minister’s Black Veil”
“Your words are a mystery . . .” returned the young lady. “Take away the veil from them, at least.”
“Elizabeth, I will,” said he, “so far as my vow may suffer me. Know, then, this veil is a type and a symbol, and I am bound to wear it ever, both in light and darkness, in solitude and before the gaze of multitudes, and as with strangers, so with my familiar friends. No mortal eye will see it withdrawn. This dismal shade must separate me from the world: even you, Elizabeth, can never come behind it!”
“What grievous affliction hath befallen you,” she earnestly inquired, “that you should thus darken your eyes forever?”
“If it be a sign of mourning,” replied Mr. Hooper, “I, perhaps, like most other mortals, have sorrows dark enough to be typified by a black veil.”
A.
“No mortal eye will see it withdrawn.”
B.
“This dismal shade must separate me from the world: even you, Elizabeth, can never come behind it!”
C.
“I, perhaps, like most other mortals, have sorrows dark enough to be typified by a black veil.”
D.
“Your words are a mystery . . .,” returned the young lady. “Take away the veil from them, at least.”
