The Summer Soldier and Sunshine Patriot - Figurative Meaning

This activity challenges students to explore the figurative vs literal language from Thomas Paine's The Crisis and to ultimately illustrate two versions of the "summer soldier" and "sunshine patriot."

Use this Activity:

Explain/Brainstorm - Read Thomas Paine's famous words from The Crisis: “...These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country: but he that stands it NOW deserves the love and thanks of man and woman…”

Ask students what they think Thomas Paine means by summer soldier and sunshine patriot. You can also have them discuss in pairs or in small groups. I've had this conversation with students many times, and in my experience, the concept is difficult for kids to pinpoint without steering the conversation in the right direction. Explain to students that Paine uses figurative language to illustrate that people should not be like fair-weather friends to their country, but rather, should support it, even when it's easier to give up.