A clue that helps the reader to understand a word's meaning by using a comparison to connect the word to another word or idea is known as a

synonym

Explanation:

In the English language this is known as a synonym. It is basically just another word that means either exactly the same or is very similar to the word that it is being compared to. Many times it is used as a way of helping the reader understand a word that is not commonly used by providing a synonym word that is commonly used and understood by the reader. The reader can then make the connection between both words and instantly understand what the first word means.

answer: c

explanation:

edmund spenser and john bunyan also influenced hawthorne. : )

i hope this you with your work : )