We have Passage 1 adapted from the 16th President of the US Abraham Lincoln and Passage 2 from Henry David Thoreau the famous American naturalist and philosopher. The following question draws upon information found in both passages.
Based on the passages, one commonality in the stances Lincoln and Thoreau take toward abolitionism is that
A. both authors see the cause as warranting drastic action
Incorrect. In passage 1, Lincoln reveals that he's against drastic action by saying that even in the case of abolitionism, such a response is not "necessary, justifiable, or excusable" (line 44). Basically, he deems it unacceptable. Therefore, we can eliminate this option and don't even have to refer to passage 2 since Lincoln was against drastic action.
B. both authors view the cause as central to their argument
Incorrect. The subject or topic of abolition was merely used as an example by these important historical figures, NOT as something that was central to their arguments.
C. neither author expects the cause to win widespread and acceptance
Incorrect. Neither Lincoln nor Thoreau state an opinion about whether or not abolitionism will gain widespread acceptance. Actually, they use it only as an example in their discussions of just and unjust laws
.
D. neither author embraces the cause as his own
Correct. One common point they both share is that neither embraces or supports the cause (abolitionism) in the passage. Lincoln mentions, "In any case that arises, as for instance, the promulgation of abolitionism, one of two positions is necessarily true" (lines 37-39). Likewise, Thoreau notes that "those who call themselves Abolitionists should at once effectually withdraw their support from the government" (lines 79-82).
