1. The opening sentence of The Crisis is one of the most famous in American literature. Explain
the point that Paine is making here. Which word choices help make the sentence memorable?
The point he is trying to make is that those who are committed to standing with the union
deserve to feel gratitude and honor. The word choices such as, “try men’s souls”, “shrink from
the services”, and “deserves the love and thank of man and woman”.
2. In Civil Disobedience, why does Thoreau believe that "a government in which the majority
rule in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it"?
He believes that it may be because the men agreeing with each other are influencing each other
and not based on their actual thoughts on justice but instead of those around them and the
majority opinion.
3. Compare the tone, or attitude of the author toward his subject, in both The Crisis and Civil
Disobedience, citing details to show how it is conveyed. Explain how the tone relates to each
author's purpose.
The Crisis is more direct and has a bigger language expansion due to the time it was written.
Civil Disobedience, on the other hand, would agree with the points made in The Crisis as they
share the same stance.
4. Examine lines 1-15 of "The Crisis" and lines 75-96 of "Civil Disobedience." Compare
elements of each author's style, including the use of rhetorical devices such as repetition and
parallel structure.
“Civil Disobedience” focuses more on rhetorical questions to hget the audience thinking, while
“The Crisis” is more direct with his words, stating he believes the majority is swayed and not
based on justice.
5. Discuss the influence of the historical context on each author's philosophy of resistance, and
explain whether their ideas transcend this historical context.
The Crisis was written in the 1770s, which was during the American revolution. Meanwhile,
Civil Disobedience was written during the Mexican American war. These both deal with
American citizens protesting their government.
6. What would Paine and Thoreau have to say about some of today's political issues?
I think they would be in support of people protesting the government, using their rights and
freedoms to change their government.