Brahm Gambill Cassandra Farmer English 11 17 March 2023 Early American Ideals in Literature Americans have historically valued freedom over conformity, which has helped shape the ever-growing, capitalistic world power that America has become. These values are reflected in the writings of American Colonists and Indians such as “The Crisis”, by Thomas Paine and "An Indian Without Reservation ''. “The Crisis” is a persuasive essay that convinces the reader to fight for the States in the upcoming Revolutionary War. In the read, Paine primarily uses emotion to give his argument merit. In “An Indian Without Reservation”, the poet, who is Indian, cries out against conformity, and as the poem progresses, he becomes more accepting and even proud of …show more content…
“The Crisis” argues strongly that he should rise to fight the British and go to war against the “army to enforce [their] tyranny” (Paine 160-161). Paine's use of strong language attempts to convince the reader not to do the easy thing by conforming. Paine also writes about the freedom that will be enjoyed by future generations, writing “a generous parent should have said, ‘If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace’” (Paine 161). This utilizes pathos to guilt the reader into believing that their children will have a more difficult life if they do not act now. The “trouble” that Paine mentions is the oppressive British government which he hopes to drive out. Paine advocates the fight for freedom so that future generations can …show more content…
Paine writes, “for though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire” (Paine 161). Liberty is compared to a flame that may at times go out but will never truly cease. Liberty will always burn strongest in the hearts of those that refuse to conform. Liberty will always burn bright in the people that choose to “[come] forth to repulse” the “common danger” even through times “when nothing but hope and virtue could survive” (Paine 161). Using language like this “The Crisis” indirectly applauds those who fight for freedom by praising freedom itself. This praise helped to establish the values our nation would celebrate for years to come. “An Indian Without Reservation” is a poetic cry against conformity but for freedom; however, not literal freedom. The poet utilizes logos to renounce conformity stating,
In the beginning, Paine brings up the lack of laws and civility in the colonies. Paine states, “The Continental Belt is too loosely buckled. And if something is not done in time, it will be too late to do anything, and we shall fall into a state, in which, reconciliation nor independence will be practicable.” He writes about the importance of declaring independence and not conceding to the British and attempting to reconcile. Paine continues by criticizing the Quakers.
During the Revolutionary period, there was much time for trials and controversy. It was a time of miscommunication in the Thirteen Colonies, ultimately leading to political and economic troubles. Strong emotions and opinions spread like rapid fire and, because of this, persuasive writing became widely known. Literature expresses something that speaking cannot and creates a more genuine sense, allowing readers to feel or learn. Thomas Paine’s, “The Crisis Number 1”, famously elaborates on this clearly as it addresses the colonists with an affecting emotional appeal through the use of vivid imagery, charged words, and rhetorical questions to motivate the colonists to go to war.
The American Crisis by Thomas Paine was written in response to the difficult times during the American Revolution. This piece of writing was read aloud by George Washington to his troops. The purpose of Paine writing this is to be motivational to the troops, explaining that nothing worth having comes easy and for free. Paine uses many rhetorical devices, one of which being pathos, relating to the readers/listeners emotions.
Paine persuades the colonists by his use of bias words throughout his argument. An example of this is shown on page 237 in the second paragraph when he is refuting the claim that Britain is the parent country and describing the relationship between Britain and the colonies. When he initially starts this paragraph, he uses the word “parent” to describe Britain, which invokes the thoughts of a motherly relationship. He then contrasts this by describing Britain as being lower than a “brute”. When he contrasts the ideas of a person who is warm, loving, and caring to a person who is brutal, insensitive, and crude, he is causing feelings of distrust towards Britain and their sincerity.
Paine uses an analogy about a thief to create a parallel between someone stealing from another person and the British stealing the colonists’ freedom and rights. This analogy appeals to one’s emotions because a person would naturally fight back if a thief threatened them, but will not fight against the British who are essentially
The two statements of Paine's explains how the future of your children is worth fighting for and should give the colonist power to resolve the conflict. The idea of family is displayed by putting family before yourself by making the future generation to be peaceful unlike the present day. Clearly, family is a major factor as one of the inspirations for the
According to Foner, “Paine had arrived in America when the conflict between the colonists and England was reaching its height”. After the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Paine argued that the cause of America should not be just a revolt against taxation but a demand for independence. (Foner, Philip S). Thomas Paine strongly supported the idea of American Independence and inspired many people to fight for it. He boosted the morale of soldiers and inspired them.
American revolutionary Thomas Paine published the pamphlet “The American Crisis” with the goal of bolstering the morale of the badly injured and low spirited American forces who had been faced with difficult battles throughout the revolution and were suffering for it. This pamphlet reminded Americans exactly what they were fighting for and expressed their various hardships as hurdles that would inevitably lead to a glorious victory. Within the pamphlet Paine also heavily expressed the feelings of disgust he felt for those who sided with Britain known as the “Tories,” and any others that chose to act as cowards in the face of battle. This pamphlet was read to large numbers of troops as per the orders of George Washington and just like Paine’s other notorious pamphlet “Common Sense,” this pamphlet helped fuel the flames of the revolution and give
“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind” (Paine 1). With the Revolutionary War beginning in 1775, and the publication of Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, only a year later, this statement was widely recognized and addressed the issue at hand: the fight for independence. According to Paine’s assertion, America’s desire for peace and freedom is a basic necessity of life; it is what all men desire. Despite this innate thirst for liberty, many residents of America’s thirteen colonies were fearful of Great Britain, and because of this fear, complied with Great Britain’s every whim. Consequently, most colonists were hesitant to fight against the mother country for independence.
(110) Furthermore, he moves ahead to support the revolution in the colonies and says that Americans have been steady to the point that they no longer need support from Britain. Additionally, he uses some kind of phrases that move people’s emotions. According to Paine, “How possible that a small island, means Britain, thousand miles away takes control over a
In his document, The Crisis, Number 1, Thomas Paine argues that the American colonists should go and fight for the freedom that they want. Thomas Paine supports this cause by explaining to the colonists that they should have that same mind set no matter what it is. Paine’s purpose is to persuade with emotion in order to get the colonists to feel the need to go and fight for the freedom of the developing country against the British. Thomas Paine uses a formal tone to engage with the emotions of the colonists using rhetorical devices. Paine in his writing likes to use a lot of charged words throughout his writing.
One of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, “Common Sense”, addressed a response to the American Revolution. Paine’s purpose for writing the piece was to convince the colonists to declare independence from Great Britain. He adopts a patriotic tone, explaining the advantages of and the need to proclaim independence from a tyrannical country. Paine also utilizes multiple rhetorical strategies, and any means necessary, to persuade his audience to share in his beliefs. With the use of constructed argument and rhetorical devices such as ethos, logos and pathos, as well as diction and syntax, Paine is able to present the argument that the United States should strive for its independence from England.
He starts by analyzing the past, saying that if any mistakes were made, they “have none to blame but ourselves” (IN TEXT). However, he counters this with the idea that they cannot change the past, but embrace its effects and move on. Next, he appeals to the logic of his Puritan beliefs. Paine says that he believes that “God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction” (IN TEXT). This gives the reader a sturdy base to place their hope, which he later increases by calling the king out for his murderous and unethical actions, and claims that the king has no grounds to seek support or solace from
Thomas Paine’s The Crisis does an excellent job of exemplifying the usage of the colonist’s feelings prominently in the content. One of Paine’s purposes in writing such a pamphlet is to convince the colonial Americans that they must not be cowardly by supporting British rule. Throughout his pamphlet, this ideal is displayed in an extremely pronounced manner, with a considerable example in the first paragraph: “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will… shrink from the service of this country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of every man and woman.” (Paine 331).
Thomas Paine, a local pamphleteer in the pre-Revolutionary War era, wrote a convincing pamphlet to any colonists who were not already supporting the war for independence from Great Britain. In his argument, Paine uses rhetorical strategy, an emotional aspect, and divine revelation towards the citizens to create a very moving, passionate, and convincing call to arms. The first line, “These are the times that tried men 's souls,” is one of relatability and preparedness for the oncoming difficult times. Paine starts his essay off with a refutation of his argument, stating that although he wants this fight, he knows it will be tough. Paine then challenges the men’s bravery and patriotism to their country by stating the line “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country.”