Hi Lema - Of the four choices listed, I would say analogy - and not only because it is my favorite! First, the use of "architects" is figurative language. They were not literally "architects" working with building materials, but they most definitely had a mental image of what they wanted to create, were able to design the elements of a republic based on their Enlightenment educations, and could supervise the construction (another task of traditional architects) as the envisioned republic was built from the foundations up. The next analogy is "promissory note" - this was not literally a financial transaction, but a heartfelt promise, a vow that this structure would inevitably produce for Americans what they desired. Lastly, it could be argued that "heir" was another analogy - we are not literally the children or descendants of the founding "fathers", but an heir is someone with all legal rights to what has been designated to them. In addition, an heir might have a similarity of characteristics to the ancestor and appreciates what has gone before to prepare his or her way. I hope that helps! ... Dr. Annie
