Question

which answer below best describes how muirs allusion to \mountains covered with honey-bloom sweet as hymettus\ adds to his description of yellowstone?
(as you may recall from the allusion alert in the reading introduction, hymettus is the ancient name of a mountain range near athens, greece. the mountains were renowned in the ancient world for their remarkable flowers and for their production of particularly delicious honey as a result of the bee-attracting flowers.)

• the allusion makes him seem like an expert in greek history.
• the allusion makes well-educated readers feel included.
• the allusion makes the reader feel as though the mountain has human qualities.
• the allusion lends a sense of history and grandeur to the scene.

Explanation:

Analyze the context of the allusion

The allusion references "Hymettus," an ancient Greek mountain range renowned for its remarkable flowers and delicious honey.

Evaluate the purpose of referencing classical antiquity

By connecting Yellowstone to an ancient, famous Greek mountain range, Muir elevates the natural landscape, associating it with classical antiquity, timeless beauty, and historical significance.

Assess the given options

• Option 1 focuses on Muir's personal expertise, which is not the primary literary purpose of the description.
• Option 2 focuses on reader exclusion/inclusion, which is not the main descriptive effect.
• Option 3 describes personification, but the allusion does not attribute human qualities to the mountain.
• Option 4 correctly identifies that referencing ancient Greece lends a sense of history and grandeur to the scene.

Answer:

• The allusion makes him seem like an expert in Greek history.
• The allusion makes well-educated readers feel included.
• The allusion makes the reader feel as though the mountain has human qualities.
• The allusion lends a sense of history and grandeur to the scene. (Correct answer)