Question

directions: the following passage is the basis for the accompanying items. read the passage, and select the best answer to each item.
address to the new jersey general assembly
by abraham lincoln
speech: the following passage is adapted from a speech that president lincoln made in february of 1861, less than two months before the start of the civil war. the majority of the electorate in new jersey had voted for lincolns opponents. yet when lincoln finished the speech, there were loud cheers of approval.
mr. speaker and gentlemen: i have just enjoyed the honor of a reception by the other branch of this legislature.¹ i return to you and them my thanks for this reception which the people of new jersey have given, through their representatives, me, as the representative, for the time being, of the majesty
which best explains lincolns use of synecdoche in lines 1–5 and the way in which it reinforces his purpose in his speech?
o a. lincoln refers to the people of new jersey by the effects that they have (\this reception\ / \the majesty of the people\). in this way, he reminds his hosts that the people have given him nearly unanimous support.
o b. lincoln refers to the people of new jersey by the effects that they have (\this reception\ / \the majesty of the people\). in this way, he reminds his hosts that they will have much work to do in persuading the people to support them.
o c. lincoln refers to his hosts by wholes of which they are a part or that they represent (\the other branch of this legislature\ / \the people of new jersey\). in this way, he reminds them of his power as leader of the whole to punish them should they defy him.
o d. lincoln refers to his hosts by wholes of which they are a part or that they represent (\the other branch of this legislature\ / \the people of new jersey\). in this way, he calls on their loyalty to the whole over the partisan politics that might cause them to oppose him.

Explanation:

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole or vice - versa. In the given passage, Lincoln refers to his hosts (the members of the New Jersey General Assembly) by wholes that they are part of or represent (such as “the other branch of this legislature” and “the people of New Jersey”). This is a synecdoche.
Lincoln's purpose in the speech is to address a group (where the majority of the electorate had voted for his opponents). By using this synecdoche, he is not threatening them (as in option C which mentions punishment) but rather calling on their loyalty to the whole (the nation, the people) over partisan politics.
Option A is incorrect because the text states that the majority of the electorate in New Jersey had voted for his opponents, so there was no nearly unanimous support. Option B is also incorrect as the focus is not on the hosts persuading the people but on Lincoln's appeal to unity.

Answer:

D. Lincoln refers to his hosts by wholes of which they are a part or that they represent (“the other branch of this legislature” / “the people of New Jersey”). In this way, he calls on their loyalty to the whole over the partisan politics that might cause them to oppose him.