C) Secure
In writing, there can be literal language and figurative language. When something is written to be understood literally, what is meant is exactly what is written. If something is figurative, its meaning goes beyond the literal meaning by manner of using allusions, metaphors, and/or similes. For instance “I have a ton of homework” doesn’t mean the homework actually weighs a ton. What is meant is that there is a lot of homework. In similar fashion, the phrase “bind up the nation’s wounds” doesn’t mean wrap/bandage the nation’s wounds or even that the nation even has wounds (like a cut or scrape). What is meant is that the failures of the nation should be secured and efforts be made to rectify the failures to prevent any further missteps or downfalls.