WorksheetsThe Minister's Black Veil
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 17mins
Who wrote The Minister's Black Veil?
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Sophia Peabody
Ralph Emerson
Henry Thoreau
In most townspeople, sight of the black veil creates a mood of
fear and gloom.
suspense.
sympathy.
amazed puzzlement.
Most people assume that the veil is a sign that Mr. Hooper is
insane.
waiting for death.
not among the "saved".
ashamed of a sinful act.
When Mr. Hooper catches a glimpse of himself inthe veil, he responds with
satisfaction.
horror.
momentary confusion.
matter-of-fact acceptance.
On the morning he first wears the veil, Mr. Hooper's sermon deals with the topic of
secret sin.
tolerance.
forgiveness.
God's mercy.
The congregation's initial reactions to Mr. Hooper's veil include all of the following EXCEPT:
awe
dismay
laughter
curiosity
What can you infer about the meaning of the black veil based on the following statement, which Mr. Hooper makes on his deathbed at the end of the story?
"When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived and die! I look around me, and lo! on every visage a Black Veil."
The veil represents Mr. Hooper's distorted understanding of reality.
The veil represents an admission of guilt one makes to oneself but does not share with others.
The veil represent the close bond between friends or lovers.
The veil represents the truths of their deepest selves that people hide from others.
What can be inferred about Hawthorne's attitudes from the following passage?
"The next day, the whole village of Milford talked of little else than Parson Hooper's black veil. That, and the mystery concealed behind it, supplied a topic of discussion between acquaintances meeting in the street, and good women gossiping at their open windows. It was the first item of news that the tavernkeeper told his guests. The children babbled of it on their way to school."
Hawthorne thinks that most human beings are respectful of people's differences.
Hawthorne thinks it is important for people to talk about what is happening in their community.
Hawthorne thinks most human beings gossip too much.
Hawthorne thinks children are the worst gossipers.
Based on this story, how would you describe Hawthorne's view of human nature?
naive
pessimistic
idealistic
uncaring
What does the black veil most likely represent in the parable?
secret love
secret sin
modeaty
violence
What message might be conveyed by the veiled minister at the wedding?
Weddings are joyful, hopeful occasions.
Sin and death are present even in the midst of joy.
Secrets between people can destroy trust and love.
The marriage relationship is very difficult.
What message about human nature is most strongly conveyed by Elizabeth's caring for Mr. Hooper on his deathbed?
True love for someone endures despite what that person does.
Curiosity leads people to do odd things.
Loyalty always leads to learning the truth.
Hard work is seldom rewarded in this life.
"The Minister's Black Veil" is a parable, which means that characters, events, and details of the setting
are described in realistic detail.
are gloomy and sometimes terrifying.
are usually historic in nature.
are simplified to teach a moral lesson.
Which statement expresses a central theme of the story?
People are attracted by unsolved mysteries.
People with faith can overcome any hardship.
People are often unwilling to face the truth about themselves.
People who sin should not be forgiven.
Over what group does the veiled minister seem to have the most power?
the children of the village
other clergymen in the area
his congregation
souls in agony for sinning
Before he donned the black veil, townspeople regarded Mr. Hooper as
an outstanding preacher
a good minister
a secret sinner
a harsh critic
