How Does Thomas Paine Use Rhetoric In The Crisis Number 1

With a fear of loss and death, it was reasonable for the soldiers of the Continental Army to lose their aspirations in their freedom and independence, yet even at the deepest pits of despair, America was still able to push through. These desperate times led to many Americans to become outspoken in their desires for independence as seen in numerous literary works and speeches, Thomas Paine being one of them. Thomas Paine, an astounding revolutionary writer, can be credited for the redemption of America’s hope. He accomplished this through one of his most famous works, “The Crisis, Number 1”, a pamphlet which was meant to incite determination and hope across the colonies. In “The Crisis, Number 1,” Paine uses rhetorical questions, imagery,

Such an example is when he implores, “And what is a Tory? Good God! What is he?” (Paine). For context, Tories, also known as Loyalists, were colonists during the Revolutionary War that continued to support the king and were opposed to the war. Tories, just like the Patriots, were also outspoken in their beliefs and existed among the colonists. Here, Paine urges the colonists to define what a Tory truly is, which sets up for Paine to later define them as cowards. By asking this question, he pushes the mindset that Tories are selfish, spiritless people, and his viewpoint incites anger and detestment in other colonists against these “traitors”. In reference the British King and his armies, Paine questions, “... 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?” (Paine 162), asking if it is truly reasonable to let someone hurt or oppress him while he is forbidden to fight in his own defense. This question is meant to point out the major wrongdoings that the King has committed, which has impacted nearly every single one of the colonists. By asking this question, Paine wants the reader to realize that they shouldn’t allow themselves to be held down by an oppressive force, and they have to fight back. He then

The first example is when Paine states, “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 lightly rated.” (Paine 160). Describing freedom as celestial places a strong, divine importance to it. Such a comparison evokes a feeling of revelation in the reader and it’s meant to make them consider their god-given right. It can also make them feel anger since such an important article is being stripped from them from someone who is below God. Paine furthers his point by stating, “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.” (Paine 161). Most, if not all, of the colonists were heavily religious people who placed God above all else. Paine points out that what the British King is doing is something that should only be in God’s power, going as far as calling it “impious”. This assertion is meant to create further outrage in the colonists as it is something which can be considered to be sacrilegious. In another example, Paine states that, “The heart that feels not now, is dead; the blood of