Hey everyone, It's Paige. I was just reading through some Thomas Paine writings, and I had some semantic thoughts. In "The American Crisis" he seems to be working on a highly abstract level started with the first sentence, "THESE are the times that try men's souls." This sounds convincing, but what does that really mean in terms of the extensional world? He seems to have very vivid imagery linked with snarl words when he speaks of tyranny. "Tyranny like hell is not easily conquered", as well as saying "Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny..." His connect is quite clear his connection of Britain being like hell through tyranny seems to bring out a lot of negative connotations. Although his tone is forceful with the information, he appears to be a demogague. He claims, "God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction..." He is using his audience's emotions again themselves in raising a false sense of security.
What do you guys think?
1 comment:
I can't find any potential extensional meaning for "these are the times that try men's souls." The intentional meaning is obvious - Paine intends to drum up support for the Revolution. Paine certainly takes advantage of vivid imagery, one of the most notable phrases being "though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire" to express the American love of liberty and independence as an everlasting fuel.
I would disagree that he uses his audience's emotions "against themselves to raise a false sense of security" - this is purely a nationalistic document. Paine is writing for an audience that already is devoted to the cause. If anything, Paine tries to force the point that the nation is unsecured and they must take action. He writes, "I call not upon a few, but upon all" not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us..."
I'm surprised by the resemblance to Jefferson's writings. Both explain, inform, motivate, and even ridicule in order to persuade others to action.
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