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? they portray a former setting with humility and dignity. they impart a sympathetic mood. they impart a frustrated mood. they portray a former setting with judgment and distaste.

Explanation:

The words describe a house in decline yet with remnants of an old - noble past. "Decayed" and "poverty - stricken" show humility, while the "shield of arms" implies dignity.

Answer:

They portray a former setting with humility and dignity.