Answer:
To explain Thoreau's view that we have a responsibility to act
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun: is sight because its describing what it looks like
Does it stink like rotten meat: describes what it smells like
Like syrupy sweet: describes what it tastes like
Maybe it sag like a heavy load: it is describing what it feels like
Or does just explode: describes what it sounds like
