What is the playwright’s purpose including the scene with Jimmie and the crones

What is the central idea of paragraph 1 of the story?

Highlight all instances of parallel structure. there is no longer any room for hope. if we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained—we must fight!

At least 10 sentences. topic: pranks have you ever pranked a friend? have you ever been pranked? do you like pranks? can pranks go too far?