r "plain" argu ment. Paine subtly develops five primary themes to support his position and persuade his reader. These themes are not explicitly presented but exist within the passages as the framework of the piece. Single words become extremely powerful and provocative, and Paine's style works to draw the reader's attention to where Paine wishes it to be drawn.
For example, Paine's introductory promise of "avoiding everything which is personal" (585) is written, as is his offer ing of "nothing more than simple facts, etc." to gain trust and respect and to attract those who may be put off by any presenta tion that would seem zealous. Yet Paine, although he wishes to "carefully avoid giving unnecessary offense," (590) states his belief that "all those who espouse the doctrine of reconcilia tion, may be [described as] . . . interested men who are not to be trusted, weak men who cannot see, prejudiced men who will not see, and a certain set of moderate men who think better of the European world than it deserves" (590). Those who are "still hoping for the best" with England are "deceiving [them]selves" (590). And if one has not been moved by the "violations" of the English to sympathize with Paine and "can still shake hands with the murderers," then he is "unworthy the name of husband, father, friend, or lover . . . [and has] the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant" (591). Yet Paine is quick to ensure that he is not perceived as too emotional or zealous and immediately seeks to prevent offense: "This is not inflaming or exaggerating matters, but trying them by those feelings and affections which nature justifies" (591). At one point Paine even uses peer pressure as a device of persuasion by charging that those who oppose independence "are opening a door to eternal tyranny . . . [and that] there are thousands and tens of thousands, who would think it glorious to expel from the continent that barbarous and hellish pow...