What theme can you infer when thorin and the dwarves burst from the barricade mountain and come to the aid of the men, elf's, and other dwarves?
a. others cannot see one's greatness.
b. most people have more bravery and wisdom in them than they know.
c. friendship is more important than thror's hoard.
d. most of the time, people are just as they seem.

Melville’s story is an allegory that conveys his criticism of Christian missionaries. Melville uses several biblical, scientific, mythological, and historical allusions to build his allegory. The lightning-rod man represents Christian missionaries, while the narrator represents Melville’s beliefs. According to him, missionaries are displacing and destroying the cultures they are attempting to convert rather than bringing them true spirituality. Although the narrator isn’t influenced by the lightning-rod man, he is saddened and worried to see his neighbors fall prey to the missionaries' trap. The narrator tries to dissuade his neighbors from believing in the lightning-rod man, who continues to thrive as he “trades with the fears of men.” Unlike many others of the time period, Melville believes in being God-loving, not God-fearing.

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