5. What does the narrator mean when he says A town is a thing like a colonial animal?

The narrator's comparison of a town to a "colonial animal" suggests that a town functions as a collective entity made up of individual parts, much like a colonial organism where each part contributes to the whole. This metaphor implies that the town's identity and vitality arise from the interactions and interdependence of its inhabitants, similar to how cells in a colonial animal work together for survival. It highlights the interconnectedness and shared purpose within the community, emphasizing that the town is more than just a collection of people; it is a living, dynamic system.