Thomas Paine “The Crisis”

Writer Thomas Paine, in his essay, The Crisis # 1, initiates the power Britain (the mother country) has over America during the dreadful Revolutionary War. Paine’s purpose is to encourage the neutrals to join the patriots by degrading Britain’s harsh rule over America. He adopts an emotional yet persuasive tone to emphasize Britain’s unjust rule. Through appeals and schemes, Paine influenced neutrals to take into consideration their rights of freedom to separate from Britain’s rule. Paine opens his ethical argument by convincing the neutrals of his belief for rights of freedom. He appeals to the emotion of the audience by stating, “Britain, with any army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to tax) but to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER (pg1/ p1).”Paine implies that Britain is at fault for America’s downfall and the people deserve their rights to freedom of suited government. In another ethical argument Paine conveys his assurance that his involvement in America’s rebellion is vital for change in the government. He declared “I am as confident, as I am that God governs the world, that America will never be happy till she gets clear of foreign dominion (pg.3/p.1).”Paine assures the patriots that without his help to gain justice, the government will undergo a downpour and America will never revive its power. Paine’s’ emotion, which appears degrading, bribes the neutrals to become more accepting of his common sensed opinion. Paine begins to use a range of schemes to emphasize his point of view to the neutrals. He promotes nationalism when using anaphora, quoting “Our situation there was exceedingly…Our force was inconsiderable…Our ammunition, light artillery and the best part of our stores have been removed… (pg.1/p.4).” When Pain makes use of “Our”, it implies that the neutrals are all included and are truly needed for the rebellion against Britain. In addition he makes use of alliteration to denounce that “Every Tory is a coward; for servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism: and a man under such influence, though he may be cruel, never can be brave (pg. 2/p.3).” The shame Paine carries from the Tories (Loyalists) is for the good of uncovering the truth of the other parties’ ruthless ways. This proves to the neutrals they are better off with the patriots. Throughout The Crisis Paine establishes a wide variety of appeals and schemes that help him achieve to get his purpose across. He persuades the neutrals to join the patriots because he and America need more support in the Revolutionary war. If Paine had the neutrals on his side, America would have a better chance of becoming separate from Britain’s unfair ruling. In the end it is up to the neutrals to decide if they are brave enough to join with the patriots.