Author's+purpose

 **Author's Purpose**

**Paine's Audience:** Paine was adressing all of the worn out colonists who were discouraged and weary from fighting (emotionally or physically) the monarchy.



**Paine's Purpose:**

Paine wanted his message to be heard and in order for that to happen he wrote so that everyone from the most educated man to the poorest commoner who was in favor of the revolution could understand. On December 23, 1776 Paine found a way to voice his opinions and started writing "The American Crisis" a series of 16 pamphlets; in these pamphlets Paine would try to motivate the continental army and gave his opinion: "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". The "Crisis No. 1" was first published during a time in which support for the revolution was plummeting. After writing "Crisis No. 1" Paine inspired "the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot" to go to battle and not shy away from his duties. Overall Paine wanted to give hope to a public that was discouraged and ultimately he did. Paine supported the American Revolution full heartedly and believed that America could not be subdued by his native country and "that god almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish". In this pamphlet Paine also demonstrates his faith in God and his distrust in the British Monarchy because he believes that only god has sovereign power and that is the duty of Americans to fight British rule.



**Fun Facts** o Not only did "Common Sense" and the "Crisis no. 1" inspire many men and women it also served as a worldwide influence to uncast the chains and unwise decision of tyranny in many other countries. o The "Crisis no. 1" was read aloud to the continental army, which Paine was a part of, before the Battle at Trenton in efforts to boost morale and unify the soldiers against the patriots. o Thirteen of the sixteen pamphlets were published in 1776 and 1777 the three additional pamphlets were released between 1777-1783. o Written during the retreat of Washington across Delaware.