Compare And Contrast The Separation Of America By Thomas Paine

This rhetorical device is called logos. Logos is used in this essay to persuade the audience that they should continue to fight back, because it was clearly the best option the Americans had. Paine used common sense when he stated that, "It is the madness of folly to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice." He was saying that if the British have refused to represent us in Parliament or negotiate, why do you think they will show us mercy in the Revolution? Paine was saying that it was madness that the colonists, especially the soldiers, should expect Britain to be kind to them in battle and should instead see how they disdain America. He was breaking down all of the complexities of war and putting them into simple and logical terms so everyone could understand that this was not going to be a war easily

In this passage, Paine emphasizes how the unique individualism of the American colonies cannot exist under Great Britain. While it may be a rational and more peaceful decision to remain under Great Britain’s control, the oppression of the American colonies’ individualism is one that goes against common sense and is a situation that calls for a passionate revolution.

“Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in it’s best state, is but a necessary evil, in its worst state an intolerable one” (Paine 69). Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense, conveys and persuades each individual in the thirteen colonies to fight for independence. He reflects on the government, religion and more specifically colonial situations. Paine’s ethos, imagery, logos, anecdote, and simile in the pamphlet supports his point of independence and why the thirteen colonies should stand up against Great Britain.

America’s triumph in the Revolutionary War against the British brought pure joy and glory. The Americans won! However, it was not without its struggles. It was essential to invoke passion and feeling from the people, otherwise the war would be lost in fear and doubt. One of those who urged people to join the movement, successfully strengthening their Patriotism, was Thomas Paine, an English-American political activist. In Thomas Paine’s “The Crisis,” he utilizes specific elements of style to persuade the Americans to unite and fight against Britain for liberty.

As the year 1776 began in the American colonies, tension with King George III’s England was at perhaps an all-time high.  Americans were frustrated with the actions of their rulers overseas.  Taxes and trade restrictions had been placed on them, and British and mercenary soldiers occupied their towns and cities.  There had even been fighting at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill.  As America grew, England’s hold on it tightened, and a few voices began speaking of independence.  The loudest and most convincing of these belonged to Thomas Paine, born in England and living in Philadelphia.  His pamphlet, Common Sense, expressed the argument for American independence in a way no one had before and had a great influence on the Declaration of

Proving that the liberties of the common people are something worth fighting for, Paine uses relatable figurative language in order to provide a more personal connection to the colonists in hopes of encouraging the proverbial David to stand up and wage war against Goliath. Paine pens an analogy stating that if a “child has thrived upon milk” then the child will never want “meat”. This analogy elicits a critical turning point in Paine’s pamphlet as he transitions from asking rhetorical questions to authoritative and comparative statements. Paine alludes to the overwhelming axiom that the colonies have been a baby drinking milk only satisfied by meeting the needs of Britain, instead of standing up for their individual rights and

Regardless of the weaknesses in Paine’s article, Common Sense is extremely valuable to scholars and students. For both scholars and students Common Sense allows them to learn exactly what was happening during this time in America. This first hand document allows readers to get a better understanding of where America was at and why they needed independence and why they were capable of earning their independence. This pamphlet allowed scholars to see exactly how America came one step closer to declaring its independence, and it allows students to get a glimpse of the thoughts of a first-hand colonist who was going through what they read in their history books.

Today we look back at the American Revolution and picture a united people fighting for inalienable rights, but to grasp the impact that Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” had upon his contemporaries we must understand the situation in the American colonies in 1776. When Paine wrote his pamphlet, the colonist and The Parliament in London, were almost 10 years into a debate over the rights of limited self-government by the colonies. In the months preceding the publication of Paine’s pamphlet the situation had steadily worsened until the April 19th, 1775 armed confrontation between Massachusetts colonists and British Army soldiers. By the end of that day, blood had been shed by both sides, and armed colonists placed the British garrison in Boston under siege. Despite this violence, most colonists viewed the events as a part of a struggle between Englishmen that would be resolved with the continued allegiance of the colonies to the Crown, but with more favorable treatment from London. It was with this popular mindset throughout the colonies, that Paine would deliver his “Common Sense” pamphlet arguing for complete independence from England. Paine understood that to make his argument resonate he needed to appeal to the public in a manner that had yet to be done.

In the years of 1775-1776 the American colonist were locked under British control and were stripped away from their rights and their freedom. During this time the Americans came together to unite and secede from the British power. Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine’s purpose revealed through the Declaration of Independence and exhibits the ideal of freedom and justice. Through these actions, determination sought forth for sovereignty.

Thomas Paine was responsible for some of the most influential works of the revolution. Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense was a very crucial part to America and its movement of independence from Britain. Paine was effective with his writings by being very plain. He wanted both farmers and officials to understand what he was talking about and be able to comprehend his ideas. Paine wanted to put his ideas out to the people of the American colonies so that they could understand it just by reading and not have to analyze and decipher what he was really trying to get across. He wanted to let the colonist know that there was no more room for talking about a split from English rule but it was time for the colonies to unite and take up arms against their British oppressors.

For example, Paine claims if the “back counties” were to give up their arms, then they’d be killed by the Indians, whom the British had given weapons and stirred up. If the “home counties” were to surrender, then the back counties would inevitably express their resentment. And if any one state were to yield to the British, then the British would need to protect them with all they’ve got to keep the other states from destroying them. Another technique the pair use is fear-mongering and inspiring hatred of the British. Henry did this mostly with slave imagery, while Paine uses more varied scenarios of life under the British. Paine suggests that slavery may not be the worst of the possible futures under British

In 46 Pages author Scott Liell is able to poignantly illustrate the colonies metamorphosis from a dependent arm of the English Empire to an independent country, the catalyst for which was Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Liell is able to not only articulate the turning point of the American consensus towards independence, but he also very intelligibly depicts the sentiments of all facets of colonial dogma and the torrential effect that Common Sense had in loosening the cement that held those beliefs. Using fantastic examples of the opinions of Tories, Whigs, and those ambivalent towards independence, Liell efficiently and

“In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and, common sense.” (Common Sense, Thomas Paine) Thomas Paine is seen as one of the most influential and outspoken igniters of the American Revolution. In his pamphlet commonsense he addresses all the ideas of government and constitutional pragmatism. William Hogeland in his article Thomas Paine’s Revolutionary Reckoning. Hogeland describes Paine’s life in great detail as well as showing the conflict between Paine and President George Washington. The connection between Paine and Washington is one that really brings into perspective how much Paine’s writtings meant in defining how America took up arms against England. What is most interesting about Hogelands

The birth of a nation does not happen overnight nor with one word. One can clearly see how words and ideas have an impact on people’s thoughts and writing by examining “The Declaration of Independence” and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.” Basically, the two documents echo principles stated in John Locke’s “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 history as the “Declaration of Independence”.

One of the most fundamental people in the push for American Independence, Thomas Paine offers much advice in both Common Sense, and The Crisis. Paine offers very strong arguments in Common Sense, which are supported by his own reason, his sensibility, his common sense and by his ability to draw inference from what has already happened. Paine uses every element in his ability to help give more depth to his arguments and plans. However, of all the cases Thomas Paine makes in Common Sense, the ultimate goal of Paine is to incite the American Public to make a stand against British tyranny, and break from Britain altogether, and become independent.