Question

Read the passage from “Civil Disobedience.” This American government—what is it but a tradition. . . . It is a sort of wooden gun to the people themselves; and, if ever they should use it in earnest as a real one against each other, it will surely split. Why does Thoreau compare the American government to a wooden gun?
a. to indicate that it is likely to burn to the ground
b. to indicate that it can harm others easily
c. to indicate that it is a part of nature
d. to indicate that it has only the appearance of power

Answer 1

I'd say D because it says "if they ever should use it in earnest against each other, it will surely split." Government only has as much power as the people let it have

Answer 2

The correct answer is D.

In this passage from "Civil Disobedience", Thoreau compares the American government with a wooden gun to show that it does not posses real power.

It only has the appearence of being powerful, but in reality, it's the people who have the power and the government is only as strong as the people decides it should be.