Question

Read this sentence from Abraham Lincoln’s letter to a citizen of Kentucky:

...yet often a limb must be amputated to save a life, but a life is never wisely given to save a limb

Which of the following best describes the effect of this metaphor?

It suggests a difficult decision with a painful outcome.

It suggests a life-saving treatment that comes too late.

It suggests a loss of functioning parts of a whole.

It suggests a process of curing that ultimately fails.

Answer 1

I can help you, but first, may I ask which one you believe is correct? @kellyjuste

Answer 2

THE 2ND ONE?

Answer 3

Not quite.

Which is wiser to give in order to survive?
A limb? (painful way)
or you life? (painless way)

Answer 4

"Difficult decision" eh?

Answer 5

your life

Answer 6

Why would you give your life in order to survive? o.O That'd be pointless.

Look at the keywords I set...
"painful" and "difficult decision"...
Do those keywords match any of your choices?

Answer 7

the first one?

Answer 8

\(\normalsize\bf\color{greenyellow}Y\color{lime}E\color{green}S\)! That is correct! (:

Answer 9

By general law, life and limb must be protected; yet often a limb must be amputated to save a life, but a life is never wisely given to save a limb.

Lincoln uses the terms life and limb to symbolize the

Constitution and the concept of slavery

Constitution and concept of war

Confederate forces and the Union

Union and the Northern forces