Class Update: Pleasure and Paine at 8 in the Morning

Today in class we discussed Thomas Paine and his selected work, "The American Crisis." As was first brought up, Paine uses strong affective connotations to describe England as "tyrannical and Hellish;" he continues declaring that "Every Tory is a coward." In addition, Paine relies on religion to describe how God is on their side; this statement seems to betray his philosophical beliefs, as a Deist. But, as was brought up, the Deist philosophy was that God had created the universe and walked out- but Paine believed that it had been so arranged that God was on America's side. Continuing with this idea, since God was on their side, how could He possibly be on Britain's side?

On another topic, Deirdre brought up how Joan of Arc is likewise brought up as a seemingly religious leader. However, Mr. Lazarow went on to explain that she was not so much a RELIGIOUS leader in this instance as an example of INSPIRATION leader who could be employed to appeal to the American commoners and to the citizens of France who were to be soon allied with the Americans.
William III (of Orange) was also alluded to, and, as was discussed, probably served the function of a comparison to Washington. Because William III was so well-known and Washington relatively unheard-of with the general American public, this comparison helps to elevate Washingotn's status as an important leader. This would serve the Americans well and the would help them in their fight against the British- for, as Mr. Lazarow explained, part of the battle of scaring the enemy beforehand.

A major strategy that Paine relies on is his avoidance of asking questions- rather, he ANSWERS questions. His confident and self-assured tone (as an embedded journalist) allows the readers (the Americans) to interpret the retreat of the American army as a glorious act, for they were able to accomplish it in a "manly and martial spirit."

Finally, Paine viciously attacks the British enemies. Though they were once the ally of the Americas (French and Indian War), they have now become the enemy. None of them could be trusted, and no American could be expected to receive any mercy from them if they were to lose. His propagandistic document is finely crafted and serves to muster support for the American cause against the British.