Question

Read this excerpt from Herman Melville's "The Lightning-Rod Man," which contains a mythological allusion.

"Mr. Jupiter Tonans, I am not accustomed to be commanded in my own house. "

"Call me not by that pagan name. You are profane in this time of terror."

Which of these statements best conveys the meaning of the allusion?

A.
Jupiter Tonans is an allusion to thunder and lightning.
B.
The writer exposes the salesman as a fraud.
C.
The writer reinforces the storm motif by alluding to thunder and lightning references.
D.
By referring to the lighting-rod man as Mr. Jupiter Tonans, a pagan god, the narrator is calling the salesman a pagan as well.

Answer 1

Answer:

by reffering to the lighting rod man as Mr.

Answer 2

D.  By referring to the lighting-rod man as Mr. Jupiter Tonans, a pagan god, the narrator is calling the salesman a pagan as well.

Explanation:

• "The Lightining Rod Man" is a short story by Herman Melville.
• The story describes a philosophical discussion on faith and the existence of God.
• The Allegoric nature of the story observes the theme of good and evil.
• The allusion here indirectly implies that the salesman is also a pagan since the narrator mentions the name of a pagan God.
• Hence the correct option is: D.  By referring to the lighting-rod man as Mr. Jupiter Tonans, a pagan god, the narrator is calling the salesman a pagan as well.