1_orizaga_andrea

Andrea N. Orizaga

American Literature

21 November 2000

Internal Conflicts

"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," is what Thomas Paine proclaimed during the American Revolution. Paine, author of
The American Crisis, projects the hunger for justice, independence, and strength that all citizens should feel in their souls to protect and save their country. As stated in Tom Paine: American's Godfather, by W. E. Woodward, "These writings were undertaken to buoy the courage of the Revolutionary soldiers, to inspire them to hold firm in the face of defeat and to look to a future of victory and independence" (89).

Paine's personal dilemma concernes those men who are hypocrites and seek only their immediate needs. Throughout the work, Paine's insatisfaction and repulsion toward those who do not have the strength and willpower to face reality, fight for their country, and show some dignity, is clearly seen. "Every Tory is a coward;" as Paine stated, " for servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism; and a man under such influence, though he may be cruel, never can be brave." Paine describes the class of men who only think about themselves and take advantage of any situation just to get something in return. Even though these men act as true villains, Paine views them as weak and inferior because their acts are approved and supported by someone above them, in both rank and authority. What really counts is that individuals have the capacity to follow what they know is right regardless of the number of people who are against or with them. For Paine, thinking to receive something positive from the British makes no sense. "It is the madness of folly," as Paine stated, " to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice . . . " Paine is involved in a man versus self and a man versus man conflict, as well. As he mentions in his work, ". . . if a thief breaks my into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it . . . am I to suffer it?" In this quote, Paine is making the reader see the British government is like a thief and America is the house that is going to be invaded and damaged by the stranger. In this part of his work, Paine is giving a signal to himself and to the rest of the men to awake and act against all kinds of injustice and abuse against their homes which belong to their families and their country.

According to David Powell, in Tom Paine: The Greatest Exile, "Paine endeavored, all his life, to convert the revelation of logic into realities, to get rid of contradictions in human society, and to make common sense the daily guide of both men and nations" (85). Paine did encourage Americans to think by themselves, evaluate, the outcomes of becoming independent or staying dependant on England, brake the civil law and follow moral law. Or as people thought, Paine's mission was to redeem humanity from tyranny, poverty, cruelty and ignorance in which they were trapped (Powell 180).

As Paine expresses his repulsion toward cowards, he also mentions how much he admires those who leave everything for their families and their country hoping to obtain a better future for the next generations: "I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out" (Paine).

His affection for those who want to fight and support the American Independence and offer a better land for the coming generations is also well developed through his work. Paine mentiones, " . . . but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of men and women." Paine addresses men and women in general as being conscious of the effort made by all people involved in the independence of America. He also points out that individuals who sacrifice their lives for a better country are recognized by their nation as heroes because of their braveness and patriotism, which is found only in a few. Paine is aware that some of those who are brave and go to the front of the battle, might lose their lives, but like he said, " . . . when a little might have saved the whole; and made them happy" this is necessary. Paine did not minimize the lives of those who died first; instead, he valued what they did for the rest of the nation because they had decided to suffer what the rest of the citizens would have to struggle if they did not go first to war. In this sense, it was better for a few to pay for the happiness and sovereignty of the country.

Paine decides to conclude his writing in a strong manner. As Woodward stated, "Paine, knew, or felt, that an eloquent conclusion is one of the necessary features of an argumentative essay" (92). Paine thanks God in his writing because he has no fear but of injustice. He also mentions how degrading America would become left under the British government; " . . . our homes turned into barracks and bawdyhouses for Hessians, and a future race to provide for, whose fathers we shall doubt of." He also condemns those who do not assimilate how terrible the future of America would be if nothing is done to stop British from governing America.

Sources Cited

Paine, Thomas. The American Crisis. 30 Oct. 2000

<http://members.aol.com/tompaine7Cris.htm>.

Powell, David. Tom Paine: The Greatest Exile. New York: Martin Publications,

1985.

Woodward, W. E. Tom Paine: American's Godfather. New York: Dutton

Publications, 1945.









			Andrea N. Orizaga American Literature 21 November 2000 Internal Conflicts "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," is what Thomas Paine proclaimed during the American Revolution. Paine, author of The American Crisis, projects the hunger for justice, independence, and strength that all citizens should feel in their souls to protect and save their country. As stated in Tom Paine: American's Godfather, by W. E. Woodward, "These writings were undertaken to buoy the courage of the Revolutionary soldiers, to inspire them to hold firm in the face of defeat and to look to a future of victory and independence" (89). Paine's personal dilemma concernes those men who are hypocrites and seek only their immediate needs. Throughout the work, Paine's insatisfaction and repulsion toward those who do not have the strength and willpower to face reality, fight for their country, and show some dignity, is clearly seen. "Every Tory is a coward;" as Paine stated, " for servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism; and a man under such influence, though he may be cruel, never can be brave." Paine describes the class of men who only think about themselves and take advantage of any situation just to get something in return. Even though these men act as true villains, Paine views them as weak and inferior because their acts are approved and supported by someone above them, in both rank and authority. What really counts is that individuals have the capacity to follow what they know is right regardless of the number of people who are against or with them. For Paine, thinking to receive something positive from the British makes no sense. "It is the madness of folly," as Paine stated, " to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice . . . " Paine is involved in a man versus self and a man versus man conflict, as well. As he mentions in his work, ". . . if a thief breaks my into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it . . . am I to suffer it?" In this quote, Paine is making the reader see the British government is like a thief and America is the house that is going to be invaded and damaged by the stranger. In this part of his work, Paine is giving a signal to himself and to the rest of the men to awake and act against all kinds of injustice and abuse against their homes which belong to their families and their country. According to David Powell, in Tom Paine: The Greatest Exile, "Paine endeavored, all his life, to convert the revelation of logic into realities, to get rid of contradictions in human society, and to make common sense the daily guide of both men and nations" (85). Paine did encourage Americans to think by themselves, evaluate, the outcomes of becoming independent or staying dependant on England, brake the civil law and follow moral law. Or as people thought, Paine's mission was to redeem humanity from tyranny, poverty, cruelty and ignorance in which they were trapped (Powell 180). As Paine expresses his repulsion toward cowards, he also mentions how much he admires those who leave everything for their families and their country hoping to obtain a better future for the next generations: "I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out" (Paine). His affection for those who want to fight and support the American Independence and offer a better land for the coming generations is also well developed through his work. Paine mentiones, " . . . but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of men and women." Paine addresses men and women in general as being conscious of the effort made by all people involved in the independence of America. He also points out that individuals who sacrifice their lives for a better country are recognized by their nation as heroes because of their braveness and patriotism, which is found only in a few. Paine is aware that some of those who are brave and go to the front of the battle, might lose their lives, but like he said, " . . . when a little might have saved the whole; and made them happy" this is necessary. Paine did not minimize the lives of those who died first; instead, he valued what they did for the rest of the nation because they had decided to suffer what the rest of the citizens would have to struggle if they did not go first to war. In this sense, it was better for a few to pay for the happiness and sovereignty of the country. Paine decides to conclude his writing in a strong manner. As Woodward stated, "Paine, knew, or felt, that an eloquent conclusion is one of the necessary features of an argumentative essay" (92). Paine thanks God in his writing because he has no fear but of injustice. He also mentions how degrading America would become left under the British government; " . . . our homes turned into barracks and bawdyhouses for Hessians, and a future race to provide for, whose fathers we shall doubt of." He also condemns those who do not assimilate how terrible the future of America would be if nothing is done to stop British from governing America. Sources Cited Paine, Thomas. The American Crisis. 30 Oct. 2000 <http://members.aol.com/tompaine7Cris.htm>. Powell, David. Tom Paine: The Greatest Exile. New York: Martin Publications, 1985. Woodward, W. E. Tom Paine: American's Godfather. New York: Dutton Publications, 1945.