Select the correct answer.
Read this excerpt from Herman Melville's "The Lightning-Rod Man," which contains a mythological allusion.
"Mr. Jupiter Tonans, I am not accustomed to be commanded in my own house."
"Call me not by that pagan name. You are profane in this time of terror."
Which of these statements best conveys the meaning of the allusion?
A.
Jupiter Tonans is an allusion to thunder and lightning.
B.
The writer exposes the salesman as a fraud.
C.
The writer reinforces the storm motif by alluding to thunder and lightning references.
D.
By referring to the lighting-rod man as Mr. Jupiter Tonans, a pagan god, the narrator is calling the salesman a pagan as well.
D.
By referring to the lighting-rod man as Mr. Jupiter Tonans, a pagan god, the narrator is calling the salesman a pagan as well.
D. By referring to the lightning-rod man as Mr. Jupiter Tonans, a pagan god, the narrator is calling the salesman a pagan as well.
To correctly answer this question, we need to understand the meaning of the allusion in the provided excerpt. The allusion is referring to the name "Jupiter Tonans." To determine the meaning, we can break it down into two parts.
First, "Jupiter" refers to the king of gods in Roman mythology, known for his power and authority. This alludes to a figure of great authority or power.
Second, "Tonans" comes from the Latin word "tonare," which means thundering. This alludes to the concept of thunder and lightning.
Combining these two elements, we can determine that the allusion in the excerpt is suggesting that "Jupiter Tonans" refers to a powerful and authoritative figure associated with thunder and lightning.
Now, let's evaluate the answer choices:
A. Jupiter Tonans is an allusion to thunder and lightning.
This answer choice accurately reflects the meaning of the allusion based on our understanding. It correctly identifies that "Jupiter Tonans" refers to thunder and lightning, which aligns with the mythological figure.
B. The writer exposes the salesman as a fraud.
This answer choice does not reflect the meaning of the allusion. It focuses on the writer's action rather than the allusion itself.
C. The writer reinforces the storm motif by alluding to thunder and lightning references.
This answer choice provides a partial explanation. While it acknowledges the thunder and lightning references, it does not capture the significance of the powerful and authoritative figure alluded to by "Jupiter Tonans."
D. By referring to the lighting-rod man as Mr. Jupiter Tonans, a pagan god, the narrator is calling the salesman a pagan as well.
This answer choice is incorrect because it adds an incorrect speculation about the narrator calling the salesman a pagan. The allusion is not meant to label the salesman as a pagan but rather to evoke the imagery of power and authority associated with thunder and lightning.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. Jupiter Tonans is an allusion to thunder and lightning.