TOW #11 - Chapter 1 - The American Crisis

Thomas Paine was a well-known author in the 18^th century.  He was widely known for his work Common Sense and his involvement in the Revolutionary War.  His work Common Sense urged colonists to unite and break America away from Britain.  Written before the climax of the American Revolution Paine’s piece Chapter 1 – The American Crisis parallels Common Sense and was written to inspire the American people.  Paine uses figurative language and inspiring diction to urge the American people to fight for freedom from Britain.  Ultimately, this contributes to the inspiration for America to become an independent nation.

Paine includes comparisons in his piece to bring light to the evil the British rule of the United States has become.  The American people suffered during their rime under British rule.  Harsh tariffs crippled family incomes and inhibited access to goods and services.  Paine takes advantage of the British’s decisions to hurt American people to exploit the British in his piece.  He says, “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered” (1).  Paine is using tyranny to describe the British’s rule.  However, he wants to inspire people to fight against it.  Comparing British rule to hell allows American citizens to see that the British’s effect on America is negative, not positive.  Although he says it cannot be conquered easily, he finishes the sentence with “the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” (1).  Mentioning the triumph after breaking away from “hell” ignites a flame in Americans to fight British tyranny.  Paine’s use of metaphor successfully unites the people by promising triumph after breaking away from the British and creating a happy America (9).

Paine’s idea of making America happy through freedom is carried on throughout the essay with his use of diction.  During the revolutionary war, thousands had to be gathered in order to create a militia strong enough to fight the British.  Paine unites his people with the fact that, “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” (11).  Paine addresses the entirety of America to unite them.  By mentioning multiple demographics Paine is able to relate to almost all citizens and make them listen.  By mentioning downfall and success, Paine recognizes that even though there will be troubles and victories, as a nation they are united.  Additionally, Paine singles out those who beg for mercy rather than fighting.  He calls mercy “only a trick of war” (13) in order to show his people that fighting and revolution is the only answer.  He even tells his people that he is going to “hold truth up to your eyes” (13).  Paine uses these inspiring words to bring together the colonists and push them towards the fight for freedom. 

In Chapter 1 – The American Crisis, Paine inspires the American people to unite and encourage them to resist British rule.  His use of metaphors and inspirational diction points out the flaws in the British rule, single out those who are weak, and in turn opens the eyes of the Americans.  By uniting them, the people of the United States are encouraged to start a revolution.  Paine’s eye-opening piece aides Americans in seeing how they have been wronged by the British and allows the people to become more educated about their freedom.  Freedom, valued so highly, must not be taken for granted, and those who have been taken advantage of must realize the problem before it’s too late.