Final answer:
The 'beast' is a metaphor for a significant problem, and 'cutting off its head' implies taking decisive action to resolve it, as seen in Laurie Halse Anderson's 'Chains'.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the mayor of New York in Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson says "the beast has grown too large...we must cut off its head," he is using a metaphor. The "beast" likely represents a problem or a situation that has become too big and uncontrollable. To "cut off its head" means to address the problem directly and decisively in order to stop it from growing or causing more issues.
This phrase can be related to various contexts within literature and history, where a beast may symbolize a formidable challenge or an entity that poses a threat, and cutting off its head would imply taking bold action to eliminate that threat.
Similar metaphors can be found in other literary works where characters address significant challenges or confrontations.