Merry Mount Pole
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What is suggested by the seasonal images in the opening paragraphs? In what month and on what day does the story take place? What rituals are suggested by the storys title and by this time of year? What is the mood of the celebration? Are all the celebrants sincerely happy?
Merry Mount is a happy place suggested by the seasonal images in the opening paragraphs. The story takes place on June 23 (Midsummer Eve). The ritual suggested by the storys title and by this time of the year is dancing around the Maypole. The mood of the celebration is joyful. No, not all of the celebrants are sincerely happy.
What are the characteristics of the scene, as Hawthorne describes it in the second paragraph? Why does he call it a Golden Age? What authorial attitude do the details of this paragraph suggest?
The characteristics of the second paragraph are decorative and celebratory. Hawthorne calls it the Golden Age because there are beautiful flowers and decorations on the maypole. The details of this paragraph suggest an ambiguous attitude.
What kinds of creatures are the revelers compared to in the third paragraph? Do these comparisons suggest that Hawthorne is critical or complimentary of the residents of Merry Mount? What authorial attitude do the details of this paragraph suggest?
The kinds of creatures that the revelers are compared to are Gothic monsters. These comparisons suggest that Hawthorne is critical of the residents of Merry Mount. The details of this paragraph also suggest an ambiguous attitude.
What differences suggest that Hawthornes authorial attitude in the first four paragraphs is ambiguous? What is the predominant tone of this opening section?
The differences suggest that suggest Hawthornes authorial attitude in the first four paragraphs is he describes the revelers as happy creatures but then describes them as gothic monsters. The predominant tone of this opening section is merry and joyful.
What two religious groups are referred to in paragraphs 4-6? What was the conflict between these two groups in England? What are the differences in their religious practices as suggested by the wedding ceremony?
The two religious groups referred to are the Puritans and Maypole worshippers. The Puritans wanted to get rid of the revelers. Since the revelers were very joyful creatures, the Puritans took them as sinners. The Puritans take their religious practices more seriously than the revelers.
Describe Edith and Edgar. At what moment in the presentation of their characters is there clear evidence of a change in the storys mood and tone? What is “Ediths mystery”?
Edith and Edgar are a young couple who marry in a ceremony at the may-pole. There is a change in the storys mood when they say how less happy they are than the revelers. “Ediths mystery” is to figure out why shes sad when her wedding