TOW #11 - Rhetorical Presentation (Thomas Paine, The American Crisis)

In the late months of 1776, a new nation was struggling and fighting to survive. Having dealt with oppressive rule from the British mother country since the colonization of these new lands, the people of America had enough. In July of the same year, they peacefully, yet boldly, asserted their independence from British reign, however it was revealed that it would not be that simple. The country faced great opposition from both Britain and those at home that supported Britain. In response, editor for the Pennsylvania Magazine, Thomas Paine, wrote a series of articles in which he attempted to show that independence was a move of Common Sense. On December 23rd, the first installment was written and it aimed to unite the American people under the cause for independence through Paine’s emotional connection to the reader.

Throughout Paine’s writing, the most obvious detail to consider is not necessarily what he says, but how he says it. Compared to other pieces of colonial era-writing, Paine’s writings refrained from the use of overly complex diction as a great number of the population remained uneducated at this point. With the uneducated class having the ability to read and understand Paine’s information, they would likely have a sense of belonging that they were not able to find elsewhere. Humans naturally desire companionship and this sense of a belonging would aid in the push needed to drive the neutral and still-loyal American people to follow the American cause.

Paine also was able to connect to his readers on an emotional level through his recognition of the religiousness and appeals to these beliefs by making references to it. In regard to British rule in the opening of the text, Paine states “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” (Paine Par. 1). The religious population of America, no matter what side they fell on at this time, knew that the idea of hell was one of torment, and by comparing the British rule to this idea, Paine is able to show the intensity of the struggle that it creates. He continues by telling the people that they have the ability to overcome it, just as those that believe in a hell have the ability to avoid it. This would instill a sense of strength in the religious population of America and they would likely desire to help in the conquering of the British hell.

Overall, I do believe that Thomas Paine was able to effectively achieve his purpose in writing these documents as after-all, America did succeed in their battle for independence. On top of that, despite not necessarily believing in the ideas that Paine was able to play off of at that time, reading the text did create a sense of patriotism within me.