"the sun never shined on a cause of greater worth 'tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent -- of
at least one eighth part of the habitable globe. 'tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age posterity (children, descendants) are
virtually involved in the contest and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now. now is the seed time
of continental (colonies') union, faith and honor. the least fracture now will be like a name enraved with the point of a pin on the tender
rind of a young oak, the wound will enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters."
this paragraph begins with one of the most famous hyperboles in american writing (remember that a hyperbole is an overstatement or
exaggeration to emphasize a point.) how does paine lead you to view the cause of american independence with the use of hyperbole?
a the hyperboles are poetic - their use makes his prose come to life
ob the hyperboles are suggestions - either follow his suggestions or don't
the hyperboles are ultimates - the most worthy of worthy causes, affecting the future now and forever.
d. the hyperboles are imperatives - listen or be sorry