Read this excerpt from Chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter:

"Finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative, which is now about to issue from that inauspicious portal, we could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers and present it to the reader."

What is the meaning of the word "inauspicious"?

A. unremarkable, forgettable
B. unintelligent, not educated
C. unimpressive, poorly built
D. unfavorable, boding ill

The term 'inauspicious' means unfavorable or boding ill, indicating a negative connotation. In the context of the excerpt from The Scarlet Letter, it emphasizes a gloomy precursor to the story. Such language sets a specific tone for the narrative and foreshadows events that may follow.

Explanation:

Meaning of 'Inauspicious'

The word inauspicious is derived from Latin roots meaning "not auspicious" or "not favorable." In the context of the excerpt from The Scarlet Letter, it conveys a sense of negativity surrounding the threshold being described. Therefore, the meaning of inauspicious in this excerpt is unfavorable, boding ill.

In literature, authors often use such words to set the tone for the narrative. For example, in Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the term inauspicious could describe the foreboding atmosphere surrounding Macbeth's rise to power, evoking a sense of impending doom.

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