Thomas Paine's Use Of Rhetorical Devices In The Crisis

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In The Crisis, No.1 Thomas Paine utilizes many different types of rhetorical devices to persuade the readers that America is the strongest it has ever been and Great Britain is at a weak point. Paine uses metaphoric language to compare the greatness of America and Americans different types of connotation, and allusions to rally the American troops. Using different types of connotation Thomas Paine demonstrates the negative opinions he and most Americans had formed towards their overlords in England. Finally, he convinces his audience that the Colonists will win the war solely because God Almighty was on their side. Thomas Paine uses strong metaphoric language to help his audience make comparisons between the British, the war, and themselves. Paine starts the pamphlet with the phrases of “Summer soldier” and “sunshine patriots” to …show more content…

Paine discusses how the British are “Steeled with prejudice” using a very negative connotation (110). If a person is “steeled” they are hidebound or unwilling to change their ways or beliefs (110). Being “prejudice” is forming an opinion on an experience that was never experienced (110). Paine is convincing the readers that the British will hold their negative preconceived ideas against the Colonists internally. If the Americans believe British have unrelenting opinions that the Colonists are terrible anarchists, the Americans will then have more will to overthrow the Britain's rule. Paine also describes Britain sending the Redcoats to America as Britain sending an “army to enforce her tyranny” (108). Britain had a monarchy during the revolution which has one overall ruler and is very similar to a “tyranny” as Paine describes (108). It seems that Britain is trying to “enforce” or hold on to the death grip that is slowly loosening on America. Using connotations Paine is then able to show the viewpoint that he wants the readers to

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