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In many accounts of the American West, the Lewis and Clark expedition (1803 - 1806) mistakenly marks the beginning of recorded history, with the captains' journals constituting a baseline of information about the region. The earlier history of the West is frequently seen as an unimportant backstory. Although the Lewis and Clark expedition was a momentous event, it was only a subplot in a historical drama of time, place, and people that had been playing for thousands of years. The 'new lands' that Lewis and Clark explored were in fact very old: the explorers did not bring the West into United States history; they brought the United States into the history of the West.

In context, the metaphor in the third sentence ('it was... years') chiefly serves to:

Rationale

Place the Lewis and Clark expedition into a broad context.

The metaphor in the third sentence emphasizes the historical significance of the Lewis and Clark expedition by situating it within a larger narrative about time and exploration. This context allows readers to appreciate the expedition's role in the broader scope of American history and its impact on the formation of the nation.

A (Call attention to the age of the United States as a nation) YOUR ANSWER

While the metaphor may imply a connection to the age of the United States, its primary function is not to highlight this aspect. Instead, it serves to contextualize the expedition within a larger historical framework, rather than merely pointing out the nation's age.

B (Question the literary value of the writings by Lewis and Clark) YOUR ANSWER

The metaphor does not suggest any critique or questioning of the literary merit of Lewis and Clark's writings. Instead, it focuses on the historical and cultural significance of their journey, reinforcing the importance of their contributions rather than undermining them.

C (Trivialize the accomplishments of the Lewis and Clark expedition) YOUR ANSWER

The metaphor does not trivialize the expedition; rather, it elevates its importance by framing it within a meaningful historical context. Trivialization would imply a dismissal of their achievements, which is contrary to the intent of providing a broader perspective.

Conclusion

The metaphor in the context of the passage serves to enrich the understanding of the Lewis and Clark expedition by placing it within a significant historical framework. This approach allows readers to see the expedition as part of a larger narrative about American expansion and exploration, thereby enhancing its relevance and importance in the story of the United States.

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