Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage below (paragraph 16)? Developing human space-faring technology is crucial, but first we need to decide where to go. The moon is a dead planet and Mars is not nearly as welcoming as the New World was to the Spanish explorers. In fact, there is no place in our solar system where pioneers can simply drop seeds in the soil and wait for food to pop out of the ground. For that, we need to look at distant stars.
Answer choices for the above question

A. Spanish explorers did not encounter any problems in the New World.

B. There are other planets in the universe where we can plant seeds from Earth.

C. We are unsure about if Mars ever supported life.

D. The greatest chance of finding a habitable planet is in another solar system.

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.

Explanation: