What is the authors purpose in both Patrick Henry’s speech and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense?

Which best explains this excerpt’s purpose in the novel’s plot structure? the excerpt creates conflict between characters as part of the rising action. the excerpt provides background information on a character as part of the exposition. the excerpt returns a character to equilibrium as part of the falling action. the excerpt is the point of greatest tension and acts as the climax.

Which of these novels is considered an important precursor to science fiction

Someone get back to me , i really don’t get this