Answer:
The point that Bryan is making by using the thorns and cross metaphors to describe the gold standard is that "the demand made by them for the gold standard symbolizes thorns and cross which depicts suffering, pain and death. That means holding on to the demand for the gold standard will bring suffering to the vast majority of masses who are laboring and toiling.
Bryan tries to point out that the laboring workers and masses should be valued. In making his point valid, he uses this thorns and cross metaphor. People could identity easily with it due to what it stands for in the Christian religion."
Explanation:
At the time Bryan made this speech, Americans were divided over the nation's monetary standard. The use of the gold standard caused a major limitation in the supply of money.
But many Americans, like Bryan believed that bimetallism ( silver inclusive) was going to bring about economic prosperity if utilized.
William Jennings Bryan made the Cross of Gold speech in 1896 during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. His speech led to the massive support he had.
