National Archives and Records Administration -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Stylistic Artistry of the Declaration of Independence by Stephen E. Lucas The Declaration of Independence is perhaps the most masterfully written state paper of Western civilization. As Moses Coit Tyler noted almost a century ago, no assessment of it can be complete without taking into account its extraordinary merits as a work of political prose style. Although many scholars have recognized those merits, there are surprisingly few sustained studies of the stylistic artistry of the Declaration.(1) This essay seeks to illuminate that artistry by probing the discourse microscopically--at the level of …show more content…
When, a year later, Congress decided the colonies could no longer retain their liberty within the British empire, it adhered to long-established rhetorical convention by describing independence as a matter of absolute and inescapable necessity.(6) Indeed, the notion of necessity was so important that in addition to appearing in the introduction of the Declaration, it was invoked twice more at crucial junctures in the rest of the text and appeared frequently in other congressional papers after July 4, 1776.(7) Labeling the Americans "one people" and the British "another" was also laden with implication and performed several important strategic functions within the Declaration. First, because two alien peoples cannot be made one, it reinforced the notion that breaking the "political bands" with England was a necessary step in the course of human events. America and England were already separated by the more basic fact that they had become two different peoples. The gulf between them was much more than political; it was intellectual, social, moral, cultural and, according to the principles of nature, could no more be repaired, as Thomas Paine said, than one could "restore to us the time that is past" or "give to prostitution its former innocence." To try to perpetuate a purely political connection would be "forced and unnatural," "repugnant to reason, to the universal order of things."(8) Second, once it is granted that Americans and Englishmen are two
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Get AccessWhat other people had created a climate for revolution among the masses before 1776? (One might mention Patrick Henry. Samuel Adams, and Thomas Paine, author of "Common Sense.")
On July 2, 1776, the Congress made the final vote for independence. This time all the colonies voted “aye” except for New York which didn’t vote because they awaited official confirmation, but they would
On July 4th, 1776 our founding father's got together to create, “The Declaration of Independence” One of the quotes that benefit all U.S. citizens is that all people living in the United States are entitled to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Life, meaning every person has the right to live, to literally be alive. Liberty, meaning every person has the right to be whatever they choose, and to live their life however they want. The Pursuit of Happiness, meaning every person has the right to pursue happiness and do whatever makes them happy. These are inalienable rights that can never be taken away. John Locke is the person that created the phrase “The Pursuit of Happiness”, but Thomas Jefferson is the person that thought it was a good idea to put that in The Declaration of Independence. What does this phrase mean for us today? What did it mean for people in the past? What was
When in the Course of human Events, it becomes noticeable that teachers are easily distracted by children who cause disruptions in the learning environment rather than focusing on students who try to learn. In order for a change, we the students are required to scribe our own Declaration of Independence, so that others around the world are informed on why students who want an education should be able to receive one and not be casted out by teachers due to others in the vicinity behavioral issues.
"Independence of happiness" -Susan B. Anthony. The ability to pursuit happiness. The ability to have a dream that your family would do better than you. You can have a dream and make it real. Freedom to choose your own religion, to have your religion, independence is to do what you want to do. All people should have independence, have liberty, to be what they want to be in their life and no one tell you want to do.
The US Constitution, The Declaration of Independence as well as the Letter to the Danbury Baptist are not just historical documents, but some of if not the most important documents of the history of our nation. Although, similar in many facets the intentions and the goal pursued by each highlight their individuality. The fact that the Declaration of Independence was the first to be implemented and signed is of significant importance as it set the pace and put in motion the proceeding documents that followed. Ultimately, my goal is to not only show their comparisons or where they may contrast, but to highlight what makes these documents profound and therefore still relative and valid even today.
The Declaration of Independence, completed and signed in July of 1776, marked the official separation between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. An armed struggle between the colonies and Britain had begun just over a year before, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The formal declaration of independence established the new American revolutionary government and officially declared war against Great Britain. The primary purpose of the declaration was to assist the Second Continental Congress in obtaining aid from foreign countries. The document also clearly outlines the history of abuses the colonists had suffered under British rule since the end of the French
When in the Course of Human Events, It is necessary that high school students have the opportunity to have jobs at their age. It is necessary they have one so they can provide for their families by helping paying the bills and buying groceries, also to be more prepared for the real world that awaits them after high school.
The Declaration of Independence, arguably the most important document to have been written in the history of the United States, testified to the sovereignty given by the Founding Fathers to King George III and the whole of Great Britain which ultimately established the Thirteen Colonies as autonomous and free. The ideas perpetuated in the pages of this great document are compelling and genuine. However, they did not appear out of thin air. Therefore, it is appropriate to assert that these concepts did not come directly from the minds of the Founding Fathers themselves, but from philosophers like Edmund Burke, John Locke, and Alexis de Tocqueville.
He is also addressing the relationship between the Englishmen in Britain and the Englishmen in America. The colonists would still be connected to England, but they would no longer be a part England (Pleasants 53). The colonists would form their own government, and no longer be subject to British rule. The introduction concludes:
The second way Paine structures his argument for independence from Britain is through an extended metaphor, comparing England and America to a mother and child. Through this metaphor, Paine illustrates the toxicity of the relationship to the reader in “plain” language. Abandoning technical terms and the phrases often used by higher class, educated individuals Paine keeps the metaphor plain and simple so that everyone can comprehend the message. Paine begins the metaphor by highlighting the destructive “maternal” relationship shared by the countries. “But Britain is the parent country, say some. The the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make
The Declaration of Independence is often quoted, memorized and cited as one of the most important documents in North America yet, very seldom comprehended in context of the time. Scholars know that meaning lies beneath the face value of the written words and
At this point my dear cousin, I’d like to convince you of my desire to have you with me for the cause of our freedom here in the colonies. In my own point of view independence is a universal need. According to the newly written Declaration of Independence people are born with certain independent rights. Some of these mentioned in the text are unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Do you agree with that? I hope you can believe me when I say to experience true freedom, people must have these basic forms of independence from birth. Unfortunately, when we’ve discussed this concept with Mother England, we are far apart on agreement! In the declaration of independence it clearly states that if these basic rights
The Declaration of Independence brought America its independence, and it self, as well as our constitution. The declaration of independence had many positive effects on America. The Declaration of Independence is the usual name of a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This stated that the thirteen American colonies, called themselves the thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and that they were no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead of staying in the British Empire, they formed a new nation; the United States of America. Many people wanted independence, but John Adams really believe in and pushed for independence. America’s independence was approved on July 2, 1776. A committee of five had already wrote a draft of the declaration, so it was ready when Congress voted on independence. The term "Declaration of Independence" is not used in the document itself, but is explained and perceived.
I am declaring my independence from Nathaniel Cohee, my ex-best friend, that for some reason a little part of me still wants him back in my life. I want my life back, I want to be happy again. I don't need him I never did. I hate him. I want to rid every last part of him from my life.