Question

Study the editorial cartoon Join, or Die by Benjamin Franklin.

A drawing of a snake cut into 8 pieces. Each piece is labeled with the abbreviations for an American colony. Below it is the caption "Join, or die."

How does Benjamin Franklin use an analogy to express his viewpoint in this cartoon?

He compares the colonies to pieces of a snake because it uses a biblical allusion that most of his readers will be familiar with.
He compares the colonies to pieces of a snake because they are treacherous and will never be able to help each other.
He compares the colonies to pieces of a snake because he believes the colonies will be ineffective unless they work together.
He compares the colonies to pieces of a snake because snakes can be poisonous and should be prevented from spreading.

Answer 1

He compares the colonies to pieces of a snake because he believes the colonies will be ineffective unless they work together.

Explanation: a snake cut into pieces cannot survive — Franklin’s image warns that only by uniting can the colonies survive and be effective; if they stay divided they will "die."