The American Crisis

Gen. Howe-

British general

Why does Paine believe that God will favor the Americans over the British?

Paine believes that God will favor the Americans over the British because they tried every option to avoid war. The only reason that war ended up happening was because there was no other way to be free from Britain. He also says that God can't be on the British's side because both Howe and King George III are murders.

How do you think Paine influenced people's beliefs about the war? Cite specific examples from the text.

Paine influenced people's beliefs by saying that the only way they are going to get freedom is to fight. It also says that you have to be on the offense sometimes, because you never gain any ground by being on the defense.

Why does Paine say that General Howe is "the greatest enemy the Tories have"?

Paine says that General Howe is the Tories' biggest enemy because he was the one that brought war to a country that otherwise wouldn't have any conflict. A big part of this is that Howe is destroying the Tories' land and countryside to the point that, if the British do win, then there will be nothing left.

King George III-

Paine says that he's so bad that he doesn't even have the right to pray to God

What is Paine's main purpose for writing The Crisis? What do you think are the most powerful details supporting that purpose?

Paine's main purpose is to encourage the soldiers and people at home to not give up, and to keep fighting for their freedom. One of the most powerful details supporting this is that, if they don't win this war, then they are going to become slaves to Britain. Another one is that America should have God's favor since they tried to find a way other than war to solve the problem. Another detail is the fact that the people should fight now so that their children can have peace during their lifetime. One final powerful detail is that, if Howe fails even a little bit, then he's done for, but the Americans can and will keep going.

Many of Paine's statements are memorable and moving. Which statements might still encourage people to face conflicts? Why?

Paine's statement of "...the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph," would still encourage people to fact conflicts because it reminds them that even though the struggle may be hard, that difficultness is going to make their victory even more satisfying. The statement "for so unlimited a power can belong only to God" is another statement that encourages people, because it shows them that no one but God should be able to control their lives. "If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace," is another encouraging statement, because it makes people realize that they don't want their children to have to deal with problems that could be fixed now.

How will the Americans be consoled for their hardships?

The Americans will be consoled for their hardships through the difficulty of the war making their eventual victory even more satisfying. They will also appreciate their freedom and rights more since they had to fight for them. Basically, freedom will be theirs.

Writers' styles can be defined in part by their use of imagery. What images appear at the beginning of the essay, and how do these images relate to the author's overall purpose?

The images of the "summer soldier and sunshine patriot" appear at the beginning of the essay. These images relate to the author's overall purpose because, by writing this essay, Paine is trying to encourage the soldiers to keep fighting even though it is a difficult time. With this line, Paine is attempting to persuade the men not to be fairweather soldiers that are only interested in fighting when things are going well. Instead, Paine urges them to stick it out and keep fighting.

Consider these lines from Paine's essay: "Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but to trade with them" (page 133). Do these lines reflect America's situation today? Explain.

These lines do not reflect America's situation today. This is because, instead of being only trading partners with all of the other countries, we have since then involved ourselves in all of their problems. Helping police other countries and sending our military to aid in their wars may be beneficial in some ways, but it also creates a lot of tension between countries.

A metaphor compares two unlike things without using comparison words such as like or as. Explain the following metaphor: "Though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire" (page 133). Do you agree or disagree with this idea?

This metaphor is saying that everyone always has the feeling that they want freedom. I personally agree with the statement because no wants to have their decisions made for them by someone else.

impious

adj.: irreverent. Paine considers Parliament's Declaratory Act impious because it claims godlike power.

tyranny

n.: cruel use of power. Thomas Paine wants to end Britain's tyranny over the Colonies.

eloquence

n.: expressive or graceful manner of speech. Paine's eloquence helps make his writing persuasive.

pretense

n.: false claim. Under what pretense could the tyrant King George III look to heaven for help?

dominion

n.: rule; the right to govern. The Colonists would settle for nothing less than a release from foreign dominion.

ravage

n.: violent destruction. The ravage created by Sir William Howe and his British soldiers appalled Americans.

Tories-

support British rule

Whigs-

support the Revolution

relinquished

v.: given up. Paine does not believe that God has relinquished care of the Colonists.