Americans recognise the need for freedoms, on the other hand, won't tolerate the cost of their God given rights. Thomas paine’s “The Crisis no. 1” and Patrick Henry’s “speech at the Virginia Convention” are meant to provoke Americans to proclaim and defend their freedoms. Divine Providence as the authority and presenter of these freedoms, a concept the establishes the foundation of this country as evidence in the documents by paine and Henry. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech In the Virginia Convention,” there is many instances where he compares God's truth to freedom, “Are we disposed to be the number of those who having eyes see not, and having eyes see not, and having ears hear not, the things which so nearly concern their Temporal …show more content…
Salvation,” where Henry is creating an appeal to the authoritative figures(Henry). This comes from Ezekiel 12:2 which says that those who can't see or hear the truth about God will loose their spiritual salvation. Here, Henry is comparing the colonist who are blinded and deaf to the reality of what the british are doing, to those in the Bible who are willingly ignorant of their spiritual salvation. The result is a loss of spiritual and moralistic values. Henry compares spiritual salvation to temporal salvation in the sense that the colonist will lose their freedom. In Conjunction with henry, Thomas Paine’s “The crises no.
1” aggressively with conviction addresses Americans to have the bravery to fight for their freedoms. Paine states “ those who expect to reap the blessings of freedoms, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it” for the purpose of showing Americans that what they want and what they are willing to do must be on the same level. Men who have expectations of blessings but do not take action, like people who want things handed to them are in for a rude awakening. When paine said “Those who expect to reap the blessing….” he's saying that they are defending their cause and whether or not they defeat the british in one battle or by many, the consequences will be the same. Not only does paine tell them to stand up but that “.....God almighty will not give up a people to military destruction or leave them unsupported to perish, who have earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war….” (Paine). Saying this shows the people Gods does not look for war but despite the consequences, God will never give up on anyone in anyway. Paine uses harsh moralistic standards to support the furtherance of the …show more content…
rebellion. In addition to americans unawareness of how to support the rebellion, Paine and henry demonstrate “that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph,”(Paine).
Paines aggressiveness in the statement “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value,” caused Americans to think about the worth of what they they have. the value people put on items and feelings they have for them change with the price you pay and sacrifice you make. The things we struggle for or pay a high price for become more precious to us than what we are given freely. Henry, almost warning people about the changes to come said “Sir, we are not weak if we make proper use of those means which God and nature hath placed in our power,” which explains that if they do nothing, the british will attack first but if they sacrifice their time and effort, they will be ready for what is to come(Henry). In this instances, weak is used in the context of sin, saying that they will not be sinful if they take the time to prepare themselves as long as God stays everyone's number one priority. Both Paine and Henry Show Through their writings how sacrifice is needed in able to prepare for the invasion of the
british. The recognition of the sacrifice for freedom and the christian foundation of this country did not come easy to the american people. Thomas Paine’s “The Crisis No. 1” and Patrick Henry’s “Speech at the Virginia Convention” were written to encourage Americans into standing for their freedoms. The foundation of this country was founded on the concept of freedom under the authority of God is evident of the documents by Paine and Henry.
The reasoning behind the Constitution of the United States is presented as 'based upon the philosophy of Hobbes and the religion of Calvin. It assumes the natural state of mankind in a state of war, and that the carnal mind is at enmity with God.' Throughout, the struggle between democracy and tyranny is discussed as the Founding Fathers who envisioned the Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787 believed not in total democracy, but instead saw common man as selfish and contemptuous, and therefore in need of a 'a good political constitution to control him.' Being a largely propertied body, with the exception of William Few, who was the only one who could honestly be said to represent the majority yeoman farmer class, the highly privileged classes were fearful of granting man his due rights, as the belief that 'man was an unregenerate rebel who has to be controlled' reverberated.
The 1770s proved to be a time of much chaos and debate. The thirteen colonies, which soon gained their independence, were in the midst of a conflict with Great Britain. The colonies were suffering from repeated injuries and usurpations inflicted upon them by the British. As a result of these inflictions, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry addressed these injustices, and proved to be very persuasive through providing reasoning and evidence that moved many colonists to believe that to reach contentment and peace the colonies had to rid themselves of British rule. Henry and Paine were successful in swaying their audience, not only because of the rhetorical strategies used, but also because they were passionate about the cause they were committed to.
Henry’s speech to Virginia uses several tactics to get your attention; the stress at the time was overwhelming as the pressure from Britain to dissemble and succumb intensified. “It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country.” His intention behind involving God and religion
I repeat it, sir, we must fight!” Patrick Henry builds up to the apogee of “we must fight” with the continuity to the climax of the parallelism along with the emphasis of the epimone. Finally, Patrick Henry uses the epimone, “The war is inevitable- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come” in order to portray the severity and the sheer magnitude of the issue at hand and the repercussions that the decision of whether or not to go to war will
... middle of paper ... ... Paine states, “Yet it is folly to argue against determined hardness; eloquence may strike the ear, and the language of sorrow draws forth the tear of compassion, but nothing can reach the heart that is steeled with prejudice” (Paine 77). This quote portrays Tories, whose hearts are "steeled" against the colonial feelings, those who are motivated to give their lives to free themselves from Britain’s rule.
When it comes to the topic of the American Revolution, most of us will readily agree that it influenced essentially every code of ethics in today’s society. Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine address an identical topic. That is, they both provided inspiration to the American Revolution cause. Patrick henry on one point of view, speaks of the harshness of the British rule over the American colonies. In his statement, Patrick Henry addresses the oppressive British rule and emphasis grounds to maintain basic human rights. “Common Sense”, on the other hand stresses on the trials and tribulations of the American colonies under the British rule. With the use of persuasion in their writings, both Henry and Paine support the war against the Great Britain.
“Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavored to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us.” Such words scribed by the Revolutionary radical Thomas Paine epitomized the drive behind the American Revolution of the 18th century. For nearly two hundred years, the citizens of the American Colonies had been fastened securely to the wrist of the mother country, England. They had tolerated the tyrannous rule, but not without the simmer of rebellious thoughts. As England piled tax after tax onto their colonies, thoughts of revolution and revolt sprung up in the minds of the colonists and brewed there, waiting for a catalyst to drive them into action. The catalyst ignited on January 10th, 1776 when Thomas Paine published his fiery pamphlet ‘Common Sense’. The 48-page pamphlet presented before the colonists a vision for independence that had never been conceived before. It radically altered the course of the Revolution and would later find itself molding the foundation of America’s government indefinitely.
The eighteenth century, a time of turmoil and chaos in the colonies, brought many opinionated writers to the forefront in support or refutation of the coming American Revolution. This highly controversial war that would ultimately separate the future United States of America from Great Britain became the center of debate. Two writers, both of whom supported the Revolution, now stand to fully illuminate one side of the debate. Thomas Paine, a radical propagandist, wrote many pieces during this time including “The Crisis Number 1” (1776). Through writing, he appealed to the “common man” in order to convince them to gather their arms and fight for their freedom. In this document, he utilizes many of the same rhetorical skills and propaganda techniques as Patrick Henry, a convincing orator, did in his famous speech delivered to the state’s delegates in 1775. Among these techniques are transfer, abstract language, and pathos. In both works, these were used to call the audiences to war. These influential pieces both contained a call to action which, through the use of strong and decisive language, aided the beginning of the American Revolution.
The measures made to ensure the king does not have absolute power are not enough to prevent him from ultimately getting his way no matter what that may be. On page 27 Paine tells how the king made the declaration that there will be no law unless put in place by himself. This effort to make the colonists powerless as to how they are governed is tyranny. Paine’s also argues that this event shows how Britain believes America has become too powerful and is trying to slow its growth and development (27). Those who are in parliament so far away from the tragic events that take place in America who live in such a vastly different world are too ignorant to make judgements for America (23). Paine’s statement that in America “law is king,” demonstrates the author’s argument that law developed for the people should be what runs the country not a single man (30). This coincides with the way America was running well before the war ended and Britain decided to exert more power over the colonies. This is made even more evident when Thomas Paine states Britain cannot be relied on to defend them because Britain is the entity that had been trying to take away America’s power and the people rights. Furthermore,
The anecdote he provides tells of an instance in where he interacted with a tory, an American that supported the British. He describes meeting him with a fragile young girls, the mans daughter, and discussing the war effort. He was shocked to hear him say, "Well! give me peace in my day.” The man seemed to argue that he wouldn’t want bloodshed during his lifetime, he would rather “peace.” Many of Paine’s audience were men — who most likely have children, who would also live a life with peace instead of war, and by making the statement that men with this mindset are “unfatherly,” Paine is able to penetrate the men’s ego and make them feel ashamed of thinking that way. Thereby getting closer to convince them to join him and break off Britains control over America. Paine then progresses to describe what an ideal father should have thought in that situation. He claims that an ideal father should have thought: “ 'If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” The mention of this ideal father makes the men, men who would rather have “peace in [their] my day,” feel ashamed for not wanting their own children to live in “peace”; a product of them aiding in freeing America. This narration of a father and his unwillingness to
In March of 1775, the words of Patrick Henry rang in the ears of his fellow Virginians. He stood in St John’s Church, located in Richmond, made an audacious public speech containing his opinions in relation to the colony’s next step of action in the war. This was not the first time that Henry stood in front of an audience to present a speech. Henry was known for speaking messages that people did not forget. Prior to this speech, Patrick Henry had made his name known by writing the ‘Virginia Resolutions’ against the despised Stamp Act. In the view point of this specific speech however, Henry spoke his opinion of the war starting and what he believed as truth. Virginia was the largest American Colony, with the House of Burgesses that was the longest-serving legislature that Virginia proudly claimed. Patrick Henry was also previously known for his incredible words and messages he had shared in the past. This speech went over the top compared to former speeches. As a known Christian man, Henry referenced an array of Biblical subjects throughout his speech “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death”, in which his audience could take time to deeply digest. During this era, most Americans were Christians, making it easy for Henry to never quotes scripture directly, but imply it for his audience to grasp.
He questioned the reason why the colonialists could not break ties with Britain. He highlighted all the hardships and believe by many that England and its monarch be believed and revered. Thomas Paine also incorporates religion into his style to all people to his viewpoint the king’s rule is unrighteous “ given us up to the devils” (Digital History). He also mentioned fear as a factor that Britain had employed in other parts, but he thanks God he knew the situation well (Digital History). A Thomas Paine argument was that colonialists should continue fighting even in the face of defeat because giving up would be a greater price pay. According to Thomas Paine, America “will never be happy till she gets clear of foreign dominion.” and America will be in a “worse ruin than any we have yet thought of,” if the colonies don’t unite and continue fighting Britain. This point of view is helpful in understanding how his ideas worked to give an extra push for independence and foresee the crises that would come during the war.
...hat his audience is still with him, Paine ends with an either-or-fallacy to emphasize to choices that they could either, “by perseverance and fortitude [they] have the prospect of a glorious issue” or, “by cowardice and submission… a ravaged country – a depopulated city… [their] homes turned into barracks and bawdy-houses for Hessians”(111). Here Paine wants to make sure his audience feels that there is only one chance in the next battle, or it is over for all of them. His use of language here at the end of his pamphlet is somewhat indicative of how much of the language in this pamphlet is aiming towards the idea that there is one last chance for the audience to act by invoking a sense of culpability upon them.
After carefully examining Thomas Paine's essay, "These Are the Times that Try Men's Souls", I noticed a major theme he uses to move his audience to support his side of the War. He uses the theme of God to persuade his audiences to his side, the Patriots. For example, "I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to Heaven for help against us " (Paine 464) In this quote he gives the reader the impressions that God is on their side and not on Britain's because he views them as evil. If you take a look at his word choice you will notice this throughout the text. He uses words like murderer, highwayman, and housebreaker to describe Britain and never says anything positive about them. If you were to take a look to how the essay was organized you will notice that he starts off describing the seriousness of the situation and how the lives of the colonist are being constrained because of Britain. He then gives his opinion about what Britain has done and how the colonist's should not take this harassment. He does go over a little overboard when he describes the conditions as "slave like" and when he chooses to refer to himself as a "whore of his soul" if he were to surrender to the British.
What Thomas Paine means by “trying men's souls” is that there is a challenge they have to face. Thomas Paine stated that “the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman”. This means one shall rise and be thanked by all mankind, and one shall fall and become a coward. Also, Thomas Paine said that “Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph”.... ...