I tremblingly considered a moment, and then the devil of temptation provoked me to say:—

‘Well—to—to—be entertaining, I thought.’

This was a red rag to the bull. He raged and stormed so (he was crossing the river at the time) that I judge it made him blind, because he ran over the steering-oar of a trading-scow.

What does the expression “a red rag to the bull” suggest?
Twain believes Bixby looks like an animal.
Twain feels he has to take care of Bixby.
Twain feels he is able to control Bixby’s actions.
Twain believes his words have incited Bixby.

Question

I tremblingly considered a moment, and then the devil of temptation provoked me to say:—

‘Well—to—to—be entertaining, I thought.’

This was a red rag to the bull. He raged and stormed so (he was crossing the river at the time) that I judge it made him blind, because he ran over the steering-oar of a trading-scow.

What does the expression “a red rag to the bull” suggest?
Twain believes Bixby looks like an animal.
Twain feels he has to take care of Bixby.
Twain feels he is able to control Bixby’s actions.
Twain believes his words have incited Bixby.

anonymous · Answer

The last one I think.