Question

Why is Janie's veil described as "a wall of stone and steel"?

• A. The veil allows Janie to suppress her anguish and maintain her composure during the funeral.
• B. The veil screens Janie from the accusing stares of the mourners at the funeral.
• C. The veil represents the solidity of Janie's emotional state.
• D. The veil allows Janie to endure the formal pretense of mourning at Joe's funeral, which is not in keeping with her true feelings.
• E. The veil allows Janie to hide her true feelings from herself until after the funeral.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The veil allows Janie to endure the formal pretense of mourning at Joe's funeral, which is not in keeping with her true feelings.

Option D is the correct answer. The passage states that Janie was unresponsive during the entire procession, after the end of which she went her way unbothered. There is no indication of her suppressing her anguish, none of her accusing anyone. Her solidarity and true feelings were the pretense he held up with her stone wall. Therefore, Options A,B,C and E are incorrect.