Question

From The Crisis by Thomas Paine, 1776
“The American Crisis” is the formal name of Thomas Paine’s writing. The paper
argues American independence but begins with theoretical thoughts on
government, religion and the colonial framework.
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine
patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that
stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like
hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder
the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we
esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven
knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if
so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an
army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX)
but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is
not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the
expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon, or delayed
too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that
had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not
make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependent
state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own; we have none to blame
but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet. All that Howe has been doing for this
month past, is rather a ravage than a conquest, which the spirit of the Jerseys, a
year ago, would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will
soon recover.
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever
been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military
destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so
repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which
wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose
that He has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care
of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can
look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a
house-bre

Answer 1

aker, has as good a pretence as he.
'Tis surprising to see how rapidly a panic will sometimes run through a country. All
nations and ages have been subject to them. Britain has trembled like an ague at
the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats; and in the fourteenth
[fifteenth] century the whole English army, after ravaging the kingdom of France,
was driven back like men petrified with fear; and this brave exploit was
performed by a few broken forces collected and headed by a woman, Joan of Arc.
Would that heaven might inspire some Jersey maid to spirit up her countrymen,
and save her fair fellow sufferers from ravage and ravishment! Yet panics, in some
cases, have their uses; they produce as much good as hurt. Their duration is
always short; the mind soon grows through them, and acquires a firmer habit
than before. But their peculiar advantage is, that they are the touchstones of
sincerity and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might otherwise
have lain forever undiscovered. In fact, they have the same effect on secret
traitors, which an imaginary apparition would have upon a private murderer. They
sift out the hidden thoughts of man, and hold them up in public to the world.
Many a disguised Tory has lately shown his head, that shall penitentially
solemnize with curses the day on which Howe arrived upon the Delaware.
Quitting this class of men, I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who
have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon
a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help
us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little,
when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the
depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city
and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to
repulse it. Say not that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands;
throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but "show your faith by your
works," that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life
you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home
counties and the back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike. The heart
that feels not now is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who
shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them
happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from
distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink;
but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will
pursue his principles unto death. My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight
and clear as a ray of light. Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe,
could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a
thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens
to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his
absolute will, am I to suffer it? What signifies it to me, whether he who does it is a
king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman; whether it be
done by an individual villain, or an army of them? If we reason to the root of
things we shall find no difference; neither can any just cause be assigned why we
should punish in the one case and pardon in the other.

Answer 2

1. The tone of this essay suggests that Paine’s attitude towards his audience is:

Question 1 options:

a. respectful but provocative


b. disparaging but hopeful


c. compassionate but disappointed


d. ironic but judgmental

Answer 3

d. ironic but judgmental

I'll use quotes from the paragraph that lead me to think this:
"they produce as much good as hurt..."

"they are the touchstones of
sincerity and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might otherwise
have lain forever undiscovered"

"All that Howe has been doing for this
month past, is rather a ravage than a conquest, which the spirit of the Jerseys, a
year ago, would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will
soon recover."

First two quotes are ironic, the second one is judgmental of Howe.