248 unit 1: early american writing Whether the Independence of the Continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependant state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own; we have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet; all that Howe has been doing for this month past is rather a ravage than a conquest which the spirit of the Jersies a year ago would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover. b I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who had so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose, that he has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: A common murderer, a highwayman, or a housebreaker, has as good a pretense as he. . . . I once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the Tories: 2 A noted one, who kept a tavern at Amboy, 3 was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as most I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, “Well! give me peace in my day.” Not a man lives on the Continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent would have said, “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace;” and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty. Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but trade with them. A man may easily distinguish in himself between temper and principle, and I am as confident, as I am that God governs the world, that America will never be happy until she gets clear of foreign dominion. Wars, without ceasing, will break out until that period arrives, and the Continent must in the end be conqueror; for, though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal never can expire. . . . c I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all; not on this State or that State, but on every State; up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one 20 30 40 50 2. the mean principles . . . Tories: the small-minded beliefs of those colonists who remain loyal to Great Britain. 3. Amboy: probably Perth Amboy, a town in New Jersey. b MAIN IDEAS AND SUPPORT How does Paine support his main idea that all is not lost for the colonists, despite their military defeats? infidel (GnPfG-dEl) n. a person with no religious beliefs relinquish (rG-lGngPkwGsh) v. to withdraw from; to give up prudent (prLdPnt) adj. showing caution or good judgment wrangling (rBngPglGng) adj. arguing noisily wrangle v. dominion (dE-mGnPyEn) n. control; authority over ardor (ärPdEr) n. intense enthusiasm; passion c PERSUASIVE TECHNI QUES Notice that Paine makes an ethical appeal in lines 31–39. How does he say a parent should behave? Targeted Passage 2 differentiated instruction c persuasive techni ues Possible answer: He says a parent should be more concerned about peace in his child’s lifetime than in his own. If students need help . . . Read the italic text in lines 35–36 and clarify that Paine sees this as a selfish parent’s statement. Then read the italic text in lines 37–38. Point out the word generous (line 37) and explain that it is a clue that Paine prefers the second statement from a parent to the first. Extend the Discussion What is the emo- tional effect of this appeal? LITERARY ANALYSIS Lines 47–51 reinforce key idea: loyalty Discuss Paine calls for the continued support of the patriot cause with the “warm ardor of a friend.” How might this particular appeal to loyalty affect Paine’s audience? Possible answer: By calling himself a friend, Paine sug- gests that he has the patriots’ best interests at heart. This implies that his call for help from all citizens and States is a call for loyalty to friendship. for less–proficient readers 2 Targeted Passage [Lines 22–30] In this passage, Paine asserts the justness of the patriots’ cause. • How does Paine answer those who say that the Colonies should have tried harder to avoid war? • Why does Paine think that God would be on the side of the Colonies? • To whom does he compare the king? for english learners Language: Pronoun Referents Use the context to help students identify the ante- cedents of these difficult pronouns: one (line 17), fault (line 17); who (line 24), people (line 23); he (line 30), king (line 28); her (line 40) and she (line 41), America (line 40); that (line 61) and he whose (line 62), man (line 60); those (line 67), people in his house; it (line 68), [Paine’s] house (line 66). b main ideas and support Possible answer: Paine says that, with time and resolve, the colonists will recover whatever they may have lost to the British under General Howe (lines 18–21). He also attributes Howe’s recent victories to bad timing for the colonists (lines 13–17). If students need help . . . Show them how to record the main idea and support in a chart like the one introduced on page 245. Main Ideas Reasons and Evidence All is not lost. • Howe’s ravage is not a real conquest. • With time and resolve, the colonists will recover their position. READING SKILL 248 unit 1 : early american writing
Transcript
248 unit 1: early american writing
Whether the Independence of the Continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependant state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own; we have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet; all that Howe has been doing for this month past is rather a ravage than a conquest which the spirit of the Jersies a year ago would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover. b
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who had so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose, that he has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: A common murderer, a highwayman, or a housebreaker, has as good a pretense as he. . . .
I once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the Tories:2 A noted one, who kept a tavern at Amboy,3
was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as most I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, “Well! give me peace in my day.” Not a man lives on the Continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent would have said, “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace;” and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty. Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but trade with them. A man may easily distinguish in himself between temper and principle, and I am as confident, as I am that God governs the world, that America will never be happy until she gets clear of foreign dominion. Wars, without ceasing, will break out until that period arrives, and the Continent must in the end be conqueror; for, though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal never can expire. . . . c
I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all; not on this State or that State, but on every State; up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one
20
30
40
50
2. the mean principles . . . Tories: the small-minded beliefs of those colonists who remain loyal to Great Britain.
3. Amboy: probably Perth Amboy, a town in New Jersey.
b MAIN IDEAS AND SUPPORTHow does Paine support his main idea that all is not lost for the colonists, despite their military defeats?
infidel (GnPfG-dEl) n. a person with no religious beliefs
relinquish (rG-lGngPkwGsh) v. to withdraw from; to give up
prudent (prLdPnt) adj. showing caution or good judgment
wrangling (rBngPglGng) adj. arguing noisily wrangle v.
dominion (dE-mGnPyEn) n. control; authority over
ardor (ärPdEr) n. intense enthusiasm; passion
c PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUESNotice that Paine makes an ethical appeal in lines 31–39. How does he say a parent should behave?
common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Say not, that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but “shew your faith by your works,” that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, shall suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now, is dead: The blood of his children shall curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ’Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. My own line of reasoning is to myself as strait and clear as a ray of light. dNot all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief break into my house, burn and destroy my property, and kill or threaten 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?
60
repulse (rG-pOlsP) v. to drive back by force
ANALYZE VISUALSA broadside is a public notice printed on one side of a large sheet of paper. What feelings and emotions does this American Revolutionary War broadside appeal to?
d PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUESReread lines 58–64. Identify some examples of loaded words and phrases in this passage. What point is Paine making about those who refuse to act?
c persuasive techniuesPossible answer: He says a parent should be more concerned about peace in his child’s lifetime than in his own.If students need help . . . Read the italic text in lines 35–36 and clarify that Paine sees this as a selfish parent’s statement. Then read the italic text in lines 37–38. Point out the word generous (line 37) and explain that it is a clue that Paine prefers the second statement from a parent to the first. Extend the Discussion What is the emo-tional effect of this appeal?
L I T E R A R Y A N A L Y S I S
Lines 47–51reinforce key idea: loyaltyDiscuss Paine calls for the continued support of the patriot cause with the “warm ardor of a friend.” How might this particular appeal to loyalty affect Paine’s audience? Possible answer: By calling himself a friend, Paine sug-gests that he has the patriots’ best interests at heart. This implies that his call for help from all citizens and States is a call for loyalty to friendship.
for less–proficient readers2 Targeted Passage [Lines 22–30]
In this passage, Paine asserts the justness of the patriots’ cause.• How does Paine answer those who say that
the Colonies should have tried harder to avoid war?
• Why does Paine think that God would be on the side of the Colonies?
• To whom does he compare the king?
for english learnersLanguage: Pronoun Referents Use the context to help students identify the ante-cedents of these difficult pronouns: one (line 17), fault (line 17); who (line 24), people (line 23); he (line 30), king (line 28); her (line 40) and she (line 41), America (line 40); that (line 61) and he whose (line 62), man (line 60); those (line 67), people in his house; it (line 68), [Paine’s] house (line 66).
b main ideas and supportPossible answer: Paine says that, with time and resolve, the colonists will recover whatever they may have lost to the British under General Howe (lines 18–21). He also attributes Howe’s recent victories to bad timing for the colonists (lines 13–17). If students need help . . . Show them how to record the main idea and support in a chart like the one introduced on page 245.
Main Ideas Reasons and EvidenceAll is not lost. • Howe’s ravage is not a
real conquest.
• With time and resolve, the colonists will recover their position.
R E A D I N G S K I L L
248 unit 1: early american writing
248 unit 1: early american writing
Whether the Independence of the Continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependant state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own; we have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet; all that Howe has been doing for this month past is rather a ravage than a conquest which the spirit of the Jersies a year ago would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover. b
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who had so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose, that he has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: A common murderer, a highwayman, or a housebreaker, has as good a pretense as he. . . .
I once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the Tories:2 A noted one, who kept a tavern at Amboy,3
was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as most I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, “Well! give me peace in my day.” Not a man lives on the Continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent would have said, “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace;” and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty. Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but trade with them. A man may easily distinguish in himself between temper and principle, and I am as confident, as I am that God governs the world, that America will never be happy until she gets clear of foreign dominion. Wars, without ceasing, will break out until that period arrives, and the Continent must in the end be conqueror; for, though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal never can expire. . . . c
I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all; not on this State or that State, but on every State; up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one
20
30
40
50
2. the mean principles . . . Tories: the small-minded beliefs of those colonists who remain loyal to Great Britain.
3. Amboy: probably Perth Amboy, a town in New Jersey.
b MAIN IDEAS AND SUPPORTHow does Paine support his main idea that all is not lost for the colonists, despite their military defeats?
infidel (GnPfG-dEl) n. a person with no religious beliefs
relinquish (rG-lGngPkwGsh) v. to withdraw from; to give up
prudent (prLdPnt) adj. showing caution or good judgment
wrangling (rBngPglGng) adj. arguing noisily wrangle v.
dominion (dE-mGnPyEn) n. control; authority over
ardor (ärPdEr) n. intense enthusiasm; passion
c PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUESNotice that Paine makes an ethical appeal in lines 31–39. How does he say a parent should behave?
common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Say not, that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but “shew your faith by your works,” that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, shall suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now, is dead: The blood of his children shall curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ’Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. My own line of reasoning is to myself as strait and clear as a ray of light. dNot all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief break into my house, burn and destroy my property, and kill or threaten 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?
60
repulse (rG-pOlsP) v. to drive back by force
ANALYZE VISUALSA broadside is a public notice printed on one side of a large sheet of paper. What feelings and emotions does this American Revolutionary War broadside appeal to?
d PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUESReread lines 58–64. Identify some examples of loaded words and phrases in this passage. What point is Paine making about those who refuse to act?
d persuasive techniuesPossible answer: Loaded words and phrases include “The heart that feels not now is dead” (line 58), “The blood of his children shall curse his cowardice” (line 59), “’Tis the business of little minds to shrink” (line 62), and “will pursue his principles unto death” (line 63). Paine’s point is that those who do not act are cowards, are failing their chil-dren, and have small minds.If students need help . . . Remind them that loaded language carries strong emotional connotations that stir people’s feelings.
L I T E R A R Y A N A L Y S I S
analyze visualsPossible answer: The broadside appeals to the colonists’ feelings of loyalty and justice and their desire to be brave, healthy, strong, and worthy.
Lines 53–68discussion promptsUse these prompts to help students under-stand Paine’s appeal for unity and support:
Connect Think about situations when people in your community or family joined together for a common cause. How does that experience help you understand Paine’s appeal? Accept all thoughtful responses.Interpret Paine says that nothing could have made him “support an offensive war.” What does he mean? Possible answer: Paine means that the colonies did not start the war; that they are only defending their homes and property. Therefore, their fight-ing is justified.Evaluate How effective is Paine’s comment that “The blood of his children shall curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy”? Students may say that Paine’s appeal is overblown, but most will note the validity and strength of the argument that parents should stand up for their children’s sake. They may also point out that this comment connects effectively with Paine’s earlier example of the man from Amboy who thought of himself before his child (lines 31–40).
for advanced learners/apAnalyze Persuasive Arguments [small-group option] How strong is Paine’s case, beyond his emotional appeals and his loaded words? Have small groups identify Paine’s claims and supports and analyze their effectiveness. Ask each group to create an analysis chart of Paine’s claims. Show this example for the claim made in paragraph one of the essay:
Claim: The harder the conflict, the greater the victory (lines 4–5)
Reason 1: People don’t value success that comes too easily.
Analysis: This is an effective ar-gument that appeals to people’s desire to master difficult challenges.
