Thomas Paine Common Sense Analysis - 1119 Words

Around the time of 1776, words of rebellion filled the Boston Harbor, spreading throughout the colonies like an infectious virus. The angered Americans, overtaxed and mistreated by the British after the French and Indian War, debated and argued amongst themselves about the future of their young colony. The American colonies interested in seeking independence from their motherland Britain, looked abroad in hopes to find moral and political reasons to justify revolution. In the pamphlet, Common Sense, Frenchman Thomas Paine brought forth such reason using rhetorical elements such as figurative language, rhetorical questions, and assertions in order to boost the morale of the colonists and support the Americans in their revolution against†¦show more content†¦Lastly, Paine uses imagery to vividly describe how awful the â€Å"mother† (Britain) has treated the colonists as he says that â€Å"even brutes do not devour their young†. Inciting emotion to help influence the colonies, Paine states that even the most evil people of this world would not treat their young as bad as Britain have treated the colonies. This statement is intended to make the colonists think of how poorly they have been treated and emphasizes that the only way to gain their liberty is by revolting. By describing Britain as the mother of America, Paine puts just how horribly the colonists have been treated into a larger perspective, openly sympathizing with Americans, understanding that without a nurturing mother, the colonists will have little or no future as an independent nation. Overall, Paine’s ability to compare relatable ideas to opposing threats, contribute the higher nationalistic values and spurring on thoughts of revolution among colonists through the use of figurative language. Likewise, Paine incorporates rhetorical questions into his pamphlet to leave the colonists asking themselves that maybe a revolution is just what they need in this critical point of the founding of a new nation. After discussing where he came from and why he sympathizes with the colonists asks the important question, â€Å"And what of our American cause?† This question leaves the loyalists enquiring if they want to pursue their freedom. Paine explains that there might be no betterShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Common Sense By Thomas Paine826 Words   |  4 PagesCommon Sense by Thomas Paine Analysis Initial Reaction The first sentence of the introduction, â€Å"a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right,† (Paine, 1776) is instantly captivating to me by the Paine’s acknowledgement that by not standing up to wrong and injustices when you see or experience it is the same as giving the injustice your seal of approval for the wrongs being done. The very fact that Pain is admittingly not fan of government but goes onRead MoreThomas Paine Common Sense Analysis1052 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Declaration of Independence† and Thomas Paine’s â€Å"Common Sense.† Basically, the two documents echo principles stated in John Locke’s â€Å"Second Treatise of Government,† and share a style of expressing their feelings on national issues; the authors examine and give reasons for colonial problems with the government and offer a solution. The tone and audience might vary, but the overall message is similar in its principles, showing the impact Locke and Paine had on such a vital document in our historyRead MoreThomas Paine Common Sense Analysis772 Words   |  4 PagesPaine’s Common Sense â€Å"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good† (Thomas Paine common sense). Thomas Paine was an English-American political activist and philosopher who changed the world through his words and writing. In Common Sense, distributed in January 1776, the pamphlets sold in the thousands and was extremely persuasive. It transformed a neighborhood uprising into a War of Independence and Thomas Paine was given the title Father of the American Revolution. He challenged greatRead MoreAnalysis Of Common Sense By Thomas Paine1699 Words   |  7 PagesIn his 1776 pamphlet, Common Sense, Thomas Paine wrote, â€Å"Not one third of the inhabitants, even of this province, are of English descent. Wherefore I reprobate the phrase of parent or mother country applied to England only, as being false, selfish, narrow and ungenerous† (Paine, 23-24). After decades of civil and religious persecution in Europe, Puritans among others fled to New England in search of a land where th ey could live without fear. This influx of individuals that arrived in the coloniesRead MoreAnalysis Of Common Sense By Thomas Paine1026 Words   |  5 Pagesbefore, when there was no existing monarchy, putting all people at an equal position in society, with an amount of little to no violence. Since in paragraph three Paine mentions how during the times of when there was no monarchy, there was no war. He includes that the pride of kings â€Å"...throws mankind into confusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Common Sense by Thomas Paine). Which is true, because of the title and placement of being King does develop quite a large ego, that affects their judgement and, actions, spreading confusionRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Common Sense By Thomas Paine1474 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout history, books have shaped the world. Some books, such as the Bible, have influenced Christians. The book Common Sense by Thomas Paine encouraged Americans to join the fight against the British. Other books do mor e than simply encourage; they set forth a new philosophy. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith claims to promote a philosophy which one day would provide the foundation for modern economics. One author wrote two books that would forever change the course of history. These booksRead MoreAnalysis of Thomas Paine ´s Pamphlet, Common Sense846 Words   |  3 PagesCommon Sense Throughout time, events such as wars and assassinations have occurred that people today can describe as â€Å"a turning point in history†. However, not all turning points in history have to be wars, assassinations, etc. In fact, perhaps everybody acknowledges that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense is a â€Å"turning point in history† because it inspired the United States Revolutionary War. Common Sense, a pamphlet, can be credited as to inciting the American Colonies to revolt against GreatRead MorePrimary Source Analysis Common Sense Essays796 Words   |  4 Pages Primary Source Analysis Thomas Paine Common Sense Context: In result of The Seven Years’ War Britain controlled American trade and territory. In order to pay for the expenses of the war several taxation acts and military presence were implemented such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Currency Act, Quartering Act and the presence of British troops at the colonies. Consequently, Americans who thought these actions violated their political and constitutional liberties opposed these policies withRead MoreCommon Sense Essay663 Words   |  3 PagesCommon Sense The persuasion towards independence represented through the pamphlet Common Sense, is largely effective. The work portrays the unjust treatment received by the colonies from the mother country, England. Thomas Paine begins with the creation of government, as lived by the colonist, and progresses to the wrongful acts administered by Parliament and the King of England. Finally, Thomas Paine gives confidence to the unity of the colonies, and details a forceful removal of EnglishRead MorePolitical Philosophy and Paine Essay example1568 Words   |  7 PagesJesus Chaveste HIST 1301 Dr. Olivares September 7, 2013 Thomas Paine Questions 1. Why do you think Thomas Paine writes Common Sense anonymously? How does he think his work will be remembered? Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense anonymously because the ideas he used in writing the book were contradicting the government at that time. If the government knew that he wrote it then they will take action against him to punish him. He probably thought that his work would remain as something memorable