Read the excerpt relating to Mr. Dimmesdale from Chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter.The young pastor’s voice was tremulously sweet, rich, deep, and broken. The feeling that it so evidently manifested, rather than the direct purport of the words, caused it to vibrate within all hearts, and brought listeners into one accord of sympathy.Based on the excerpt, which best explains why Mr. Dimmesdale’s speech to Hester Prynne is so moving to the audience?
Answer
A
Mr. Dimmesdale is able to charm the audience with a voice that rings out clearly and brightly as if singing the melody of a song.
B
Mr. Dimmesdale speaks with such a measure of authority that people cannot help but be captivated by the force of his words.
C
There is a depth of intense emotion underlying the words Mr. Dimmesdale speaks, as if he cannot control the feelings he is experiencing.
D
There is a detached rationality underlying the words Mr. Dimmesdale speaks, as if he is an expert in matters of the heart.
Explanation
The passage emphasizes that the feeling in Dimmesdale’s voice—not the literal meaning of his words—moves the listeners and unites them in sympathy. His voice is described as “broken,” and the emotion is so evident that it seems to vibrate in people’s hearts. This best matches the idea that intense emotion underlies his speech, rather than the authority or detached rationality described in the other choices.
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