Question

What does paine mean when he refers to the  "summer soldier" and the "sunshine patriot"?

Answer 1

The sunshine patriot is the one who loves and supports his country when things are going well. Meaning, as soon as the their side results in having to make a sacrifice or there is something to be paid as cost of supporting one's country, they are quick to desert that position.

Answer 2

The correct answer is C) People who are willing to sacrifice their comforts for a cause.

The other options of the question were A) People who offer support but not at any personal cost to themselves. B) People who stand up to tyranny and oppression, whatever the cost. D) People who will suffer for their country, even in the worst of times.

What Paine meant when he referred to the  "summer soldier" and the "sunshine patriot" was "People who are willing to sacrifice their comforts for a cause."

After publishing "Common Sense" at the end of 1776, Thomas Pain wanted to write a series of articles known as "The American Crisis," from 1776 to 1783. Paine supported the independence of the colonies from the English crown and the self-government of the United States. In one of his articles, he wrote: "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." What Paine meant when he referred to the  "summer soldier" and the "sunshine patriot" was "People who are willing to sacrifice their comforts for a cause."