The Rhetorical Analysis Of Thomas Paine's Common Sense

The purpose of the excerpt form Common Sense was to discuss all of the unfair things Britain did to America while under their rule. Paine's main argument was to convince others to start their own government. He states facts/reasons why Britain's rule is no longer needed and uses rhetoric in a way where he is constantly repeating how horrible Britain had been.He said a few things to give more emphasis on why they needed to separate from Britain for example;"We boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was INTEREST not ATTACHMENT; that she did not protect us from OUR ENEMIES on OUR ACCOUNT, but from HER ENEMIES on HER OWN ACCOUNT...".He said this to give an emphasis on how Britain took advantage of the colonies

From the beginning, Paine makes it obvious that he does not like the idea of a government. Paine believes the only value of a government lies in controlling our weaknesses. According to Paine, the natural state of man is to live without a government and its control. A government's existence is justified only to remove problems that would be created by this natural, anarchic way of life. If the government does not to improve society or actively causes some of the same troubles that would result from anarchy, it becomes their fault. However, Paine views the idea of a government as a necessary evil. A large part of Paine’s argument is devoted to attacking monarchy. Paine criticizes the monarchy as an institution and, in particular, its manifestation

Paine believes that for America to prosper in the long term it must gain independence

Before Thomas Paine became the author of the pamphlet Common Sense in 1776, and started a movement. Paine’s life before the colonies could be considered a failure on many accounts; one being he was unable to sustain a job and his family life was falling apart. Benjamin Franklin, one of Paine’s acquaintance, advised him to move to the Americas. Like the others this would be a fresh start for him. Right off the bat he was submerged into the world of politics as he became involved with the media, the tension between the colonies and Britain kept brewing. Common Sense by Thomas Paine, edited by Edward Larkin, emphasizes the personal and social responsibility that was needed to stand against Britain.

In one idea of his argument, Paine related the King of England to the pope when he says, “For monarchy in every instance is the popery of government”(Paine, 12). This got an unhelpful reaction from loyalists, who still thought that a compromise with Great Britain was the solution. They thought Paine’s views on independence were too drastic and in 1776, a pamphlet was published called The True Interest of America Impartially Stated In Certain Strictures On a Pamphlet Entitled Common Sense, by an American. In this pamphlet, the author calls Common Sense, “one of the most artful, insidious and pernicious pamphlets”, he had ever read. He talks about how Paine is speaking to the colonists during a time when they are very fanatical and helpless. He states that the colonist’s minds are “easily imposed on” and that Common Sense will cause much vehemence. In Plain Truth, James Chalmers condemns Common Sense, calling Paine’s views “quackery”. He goes on to say, “the scheme of independence is ruinous, delusive and impracticable.” He says “Permanent liberty and true happiness can only be obtained by reconciliation with that kingdom. Reconciliation with Great Britain is safe, honorable and

Thomas Paine made no secret for his hatred of the British monarchy. This was partially due to their absolutism beliefs, the oppression of his countrymen, and the system of government where the rich got richer and the poor get poorer. He believed that Britain would never have a balanced government so long as monarchy and hereditary succession stayed in place. When Thomas Paine immigrated to Philadelphia, several things had strong influences on his writing of Common Sense. The Intolerable acts as well as the Enlightenment Challenge influenced his writing concerning the view of parliament and British monarchy (maybe switch this sentence for the next one).After Parliament had passed The Intolerable Acts, Paine watched the continuation and control the British Monarchy and Parliament had in America, along with their unnatural behaviors and influence over government issues, the ideological changes that came from ‘The Enlightenment Challenge’. Paine believed change could and should happen; that America could find economic independence and not carry any burden of debt if they separated from Britain since their debt was actually Britain’s in the first place. Paine said that there could be no reconciliation; he understood that to become free and have liberties with an independent government there was no going back, only forward. Paine had a strong desire to see religious freedom become possible, and for people to have the right to choose and

During this time, the people began to see monarchical succession as a tyranny that could no longer subsist in their nation. Paine therefore introduces a common thought brewing during this time. Paine states, “For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others forever (79).” This idea of equality amongst all men was a common sentiment amongst those that were seeking a change in government. Why should one class of citizens be above another based solely on their birth? This was the question

Pursuing this further, Paine elicits figurative diction to create a different view of why a government is unnecessary. He claims through a simile that “government, like a dress, is the badge of lost innocence,” meaning that the creation of government causes the loss of freedom and is needed to punish those that hurt society. Additionally, necessity is “like a gravitating power” and will lead to the creation of a functioning society. That government is an unnecessary addition that only arises due to humans becoming jealous of one another and needing a helping hand in maintaining peace. Within “Common Sense,” Paine molds the rhetorical strategies of parallel construction and figurative diction with an assuring tone as a method to provide the foundation for his argument that government is unnecessary for a society to

Thomas Paine uses diction to help persuade the reader that America should separate from Great Britain. For example, Paine refers to the king of Britain as "the royal Brute of Great Britain" (Paine 48). This word choice shows the hatred Paine has towards Britain. By referring to the king as a violent leader, the audience will realize that Britain is mistreating America. The word "brute" alone paints a picture of Great Britain's king as an evil villain. Furthermore, Paine says that if America stays with Britain, we (Americans) better "prepare in time an asylum for mankind" (Paine 49). The word "asylum" is a sanctuary to protect from danger. Paine is saying that if America does stay with Britain, the audience should be ready to protect themselves from the British. Lastly, Paine uses phrases like "Word of God" and "may God preserve" to connect to the audience's emotions (Paine 47). During this era, many Americans were religious and connected to God. Paine

In his own time, Thomas Paine was correct in his assertion of America being a country of concord- we are a nation founded by individuals who had different ideas than what was taught in their homelands. They moved here to be free from judgment and preached equality for all men. America has its own unique culture, we are a “melting pot” of faith and ideas, along with a government designed to give equal opportunity. Now in the 21st century, a look at American life today shows that much of what Paine states is true; as new cultures make their mark on our country- they continue to add to the pot. However, despite the vast cultural diversity this country claims today, Paine’s views of the government working together with its people no longer holds

Thomas Paine’s ideal future for America is the “Charter of the United Colonies”, a form of representative government that the colonists

Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis”, provided the American government, more specifically George Washington, the plead for a self-governed system. In a time of actual crisis, being the Revolutionary war, the colonists were faced with dealing with the power of Great Britain. Paine, now recognized as one of the founding fathers of this country, wrote his letter in hopes to inspire George Washington on the refusal to descend to the immense power of William Howe and the British government. Paine presents multiple arguments throughout his letter, among them, he explains that although independent, Great Britain still believes they have the “… right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,”” (Paine, Paragraph 1). Paine argues that

He has to support both sides of the argument so that it won't be biased and there were some instances where Britain protected America but he was on the patriot's side Paine begins the pamphlet sense with comments regarding the government. He sees that people confuse government with society. Paine argues that society is usually one issue to do for, wherever as a result of the govt is "a necessary evil. " Society fosters the fulfillment of our desires, whereas the government. is there only to remain man from gratification his vices.

​Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in 1776, to expose the corrupt British Monarchy. He influenced thousands of people to be rebellion against British and now they wanted to break free themselves from the British government and become independent. Common Sense made an accomplished argument over separation from British Government and described that American Revolution is not only achievable but inevitable too. Through Common Sense, Paine wanted to teach the peoples that they must fight against the unjust and unfair ways of British government and King George III. His book made the colonists think about freedom and after that they become ready to fight for their independence. Solomon Northup’s

Englishman turned American revolutionary philosopher Thomas Paine wrote an innovative pamphlet in 1776 entitled Common Sense. He introduces his ideas by stating them as not coming from a popular mindset at the moment but proclaiming them as fundamentally important for America’s progression of independence away from Britain.