Essay: Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Common Sense by Thomas Paine is among the most read and influential documents in the history of America. Many of his perspectives and ideas have influenced the nature of America. The writings opened the minds and eyes of the America people on the importance of freedom and declaring independence, resulting in changing the country’s future. Since the ideology is the risks and rewards are comparable in nature, it means he employed literary style and techniques, which resonates with the public. The Americans had to be convinced about the situation and worthiness of independence making the people pursue the risk. The essay analyses the literary style and techniques in Common Sense and impact of these techniques in changing the narrative of independence and freedom.
Paine sets the narrative through pointing the resources and capacities that American people had. Balancing both logos and pathos, Paine is able to illustrate the strength of the Americans. He posits “It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies; yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world” and “Tar, timber, iron, and cordage are her natural produce. We need to go abroad for nothing.” These phrases indicate that coming together and working as one is more important that numbers. The natural resources are also aimed to indicate the war can be sustained for long since there was no need to go abroad to seek resources. Targeting the capacity and capability of the people motivated the populace towards understanding it is possible to defeat the British.
The writings can be categorized as accessible and simple in nature because the writing is easy to appreciate and relate with. Paine was able to communicate his arguments and perspective easily through the use of basic language. During those days, authors used “hard” English combined with foreign languages such as Latin. Paine understood that the common man is targeted and the solution to engage with the normal may is to employ a style that resonated with the common man; hence, simple and direct approach. The direct approach was also aimed at creating ‘guilt.’ For example, he states that “that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth.” It means that opposing his perspective is similar to supporting the tyrannical nature of the British. Any individual is not aggressive towards the British or supported the fight for freedom is unpatriotic in nature. a combination of direct approach and targeting the susceptibility of the populace resulted in making people embrace ideology of freedom and work.
Referencing and crediting other authors and events are important to any literature. It gives an aspect of authority and relation because some people may have appreciated referenced personalities. Paine extensively issues literary and philosophical references and also historical references. When it comes to historical references, Paine points to Henry VI, William the Conqueror, and King George III. Paine also references philosophers such as John Milton. During the period, religion was integral and most people tend to relate to the teachings of Christianity. Paine referenced The Book of Samuel and the Book of Judges supporting the reasons to counter the aggression of the British. Paine uses the approach to indicate that it is the responsibility of everyone to implement measures towards freedom or independence.
When it comes to symbolism, Paine uses freedom and independence extensively. In fact, the freedom and independence are the doubles up as the themes and Paine states that independence and effective government systems are important in preventing the country into partisan conflicts such as civil war. Paine state “that nothing but independence … can keep the peace of the continent and preserve it inviolate from civil wars.” The argument is that it is preferential for America to fight Britain rather than fight each other in the case of civil war. In addition, freedom and independence are a natural right and should not be seen as a gift but a right. In addition, independence is associated with people electing their leaders. These ideals were integrated into the current USA Constitution meaning that the significance of Paine ideologies continues to influence the system.
Reading the book provides a three-act plot analysis that indicates the phases an individual can go through to understand the problems the society faces. Paine starts with indicating the weaknesses and corporation in the English Constitution and contradictions that limit the independence of the people. Furthermore, the framework of aristocracy that does not involve election means that British system is skewed. Paine then applies the framework to the situation in America where the British are sung military to oppress the people. The time of reconciliation is over and the solution is independence: freedom for the Americans. Laying the reasons and shortcomings of the British transit to the next phase of insurgence. Paine then uses the resources to successfully fight for their respective rights. Postponement of the war is not possible and the solution is directly fighting the British. The narrative starts slowly and climaxes towards the end, meaning the audiences develop with the narrative.
Paine combines both hyperbole and repetition to present his arguments. Examples of hyperbole include “the sun never shined on a cause of greater worth” and “The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind.” These phrases indicate the importance of thinking about the people more than the basic of representation and taxation. The things the Americans want are comparatively similar to all mankind and freedom and independence are some. In addition, the use of repetition is aimed to assert ‘force.’ Some of the repeated phrases include “of a day, a year, or an age” and “of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom,” which implies to the same thing, time and place respectively. However, the repetition creates a rhythmic calling towards action. The aim of hyperbole and repetition are to create a bigger image of the circumstances and make the people feel aggrieved.
In conclusion, Paine has employed numerous literary devises and tools to engage and persuade the audiences to embrace his perspectives. Paine’s approach on the setting, writing style, plot analysis, allusions, and symbolism. Paine is able to balance numerous thoughts and arguments with different forms of persuasion to encourage Americans to counter the aggression of Britain. Through pointing to the attacks and aggression, Paine is able to raise emotions while the use of the availability of resources indicates the aspect of logic. In addition, Paine has developed the story through highlighting the challenges of British leadership, the impact on American citizens and the solution to these problems are fighting the British.
In a complementary to the main book, Paine attacks the Representatives of the Quakers. Paine indicates he understand the presence of God and religious tolerance. However, Paine states that religious organizations should not interfere with political factors. The Quakers argument is that “when a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” but Paine states that it is a wrong premise. He states that the Americans are not satisfied meaning the Americans have the right to revolt. Paine ridicules the religious people saying that they can continue waiting for God but it is important for the people to engage in war since God also permits. Paine states the leadership of a country is permitted through the powers of God and changing the leadership would also be permitted to lead the people. Hence, a fixed approach that the British rule is appropriate is skewed and what is right is fighting for freedom and independence.
The approach that Paine took resulted in persuading the people towards fighting for their rights. Some of Paine ideologies and perspective are contained in the USA Constitution indicating the capacity of Paine to encourage and create a narrative towards independence. The American Revolution war can also be partly credited to Paine because of his arguments towards war. Hence, the literary devices used are effective in persuading the audiences towards fighting for their civil and human rights.