Question

Read the final paragraph of "How We Entered World War I."

In April 1917 the illusion of isolation was destroyed. America came to the end of innocence, and of the exuberant freedom of bachelor independence. That the responsibilities of world power have not made us happier is no surprise. To help ourselves manage them, we have replaced the illusion of isolation with a new illusion of omnipotence. That screen, too, must fall.

Which best explains the purpose of repeating the word “illusion” in the paragraph?
to emphasize that the United States was never completely isolationist nor will it ever be all powerful
to mock the United States’ reasons for becoming involved in World War I
to highlight the fact that Wilson based his decisions on false ideas
to demonstrate that the United States’ sense of strength is a complete falsehood

Answer 1

to emphasize that the United States was never completely isolationist nor will it ever be all powerful

Reason: the paragraph calls both "isolation" and "omnipotence" illusions, showing both ideas are false — America was not truly isolated and it is not omnipotent.