Question

Excerpt from Crisis No. 1

Thomas Paine

These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph...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.

The author's purpose in writing this passage is
A) to narrate a story
B) to explain a process
C) to describe an event
D) to energize a reader

Answer 1

D. To energize a reader

Answer 2

The answer is indeed letter D. to energize a reader.

Step-by-step explanation:

Paine uses very strong language in this passage to energize his readers. He ironically compares Britain to God, since the British government seemed to believe they had every right to do whatever they wanted to America. Paine uses words such a tyranny, triumph, slavery, and power to instigate an emotional response. He wants readers to feel as indignant as he does about the matter at hand.

This excerpt belongs to a series of pamphlets written by Paine during the American Revolution in which he defended his liberal philosophy. Paine's intention was to give colonists reasons to feel like fighting Britain, so he wrote the pamphlets in a language that could be easily understood and that would be inspiring to them.