Question

question 2 of 10
what does henry david thoreau mean by the following metaphor?
this american government... it has not the vitality and
force of a single - living man... it is a sort of wooden gun
to the people themselves.
a. that the government looks powerful, but actually lacks any power
b. that the government is a toy that the people play with
c. that the government is more like a dead man than a fun toy
d. that the government treats its people with little care, like a
wooden toy

Explanation:

A wooden gun appears to be a real gun (powerful) but is not functional (lacks power). Thoreau uses this metaphor to suggest the American government seems powerful (like a real gun) but in reality has no real vitality or force (like a wooden gun), aligning with option A.

Answer:

A. That the government looks powerful, but actually lacks any power