1. Given options <span>A. the ideals of freedom and individualism, B. the present constitution, C. nothing that will endure, D. a legacy of conflict and divisiveness, the accurate choice is C. nothing that will endure. From this passage alone, Paine considers the government to be "not sufficiently lasting," which means it is transitory and requires change. Additionally, "to bequeath" means to pass something down to future generations or heirs.
2. Looking at options <span>A. of a gentleman prevents him from mingling with common people, B. any nation can blame its ancestors for their hardships, C. any individual's opinion can justify authority over another, D. any government can be easily harmed by false rumors, the correct answer is B. any nation has the right to blame their predecessors for their suffering. Posterity refers to future generations—children, grandchildren—everyone who will live in the world shaped by today's actions. Paine implies that actions taken now will be responsible for the happiness or suffering of posterity, thus they may blame prior generations for their plight.</span>
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In the Prologue, an unnamed alchemist interprets a variation of the Greek tale of Narcissus. This story recounts the fate of a handsome youth who is so bewitched by his own image reflected in a lake that he tragically falls in and perishes.
