Founding Father, Inspirational Writer and American Revolutionary: Thomas Paine
analytical Essay
1433 words
Thomas Paine: founding father, inspirational writer, and American revolutionary was described by R. L. Duffus as "He represents in many ways the highest idealism, the deepest faith of the eighteenth century, translated brilliantly into journalistic terms and sustained by character as unselfish as Washington's own." (“Paine, Thomas” n.p.) This statement is fitting to this man who would be a modern day journalist considering that Paine was idealistic in his best-selling pamphlet of the eighteenth century, “Common Sense”. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was closely associated with the Enlightenment movement, which lasted throughout the 18th century and most important themes included change and reason (“Age of Enlightenment” n.p). Rationalism, secularism, tolerance, utilitarianism, self-confidence, and optimism were all sub themes of the movement that thinkers tried to apply reason and common sense to throughout institutions and daily activities (“Age of Enlightenment” n.p). Thomas Paine’s method of developing arguments and influential writing style that spoke the language of the people helped to make his forty seven page pamphlet “Common Sense” successful in inspiring the American Revolution. Thomas Paine did not freely decide to leave England for the Colonies, in fact he was discovered by Ben Franklin who took a special interest in Paine’s enjoyment of science which was enough to win his approval (“Paine, Thomas” n.p). Franklin then sent Paine, who had no money, to America to start a life and gave him a job through a letter of recommendation that he sent to his son-in-law Richard Bache (“Paine, Thomas” n.p). Had Franklin not taken a special interest in Paine, he may have never been sent over to the colonies. Had he not been sent over t... ... middle of paper ... ...push the people over the edge of revolt as he did in 1776 or will all that America was founded on be lost? Works Cited "Age of Enlightenment Review." Age of Enlightenment Review. Web. 07 May 2014. "Paine, Thomas." American Authors, 1600-1900 (1938): Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson). Web. 6 May 2014. Sherwood, Martha A. "Common Sense." Masterplots, Fourth Edition (2010): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 8 May 2014. "Thomas Paine's Common Sense [ushistory.org]." 2008. 12 May. 2014 "Thomas Paine Quick Facts - American History Central." 2009. 12 May. 2014 http://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entry.php?rec=472&view=quick-facts
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas paine, founding father, inspirational writer, and american revolutionary, was idealistic in his best-selling pamphlet "common sense".
- Explains that thomas paine was discovered by ben franklin, who took a special interest in his enjoyment of science and sent him to america.
- Opines that martha a. sherwood's literary criticism of "common sense" gives praise to the pivotal work of the time period.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's pamphlet, "common sense," was a success from the second it was published.
- Analyzes how martha a. sherwood's "common sense" was the inspiration that set the american revolution into action.
- Opines that thomas paine's passion for independence and natural rights is a passion shared by few and ignored by many in today’s world.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's inspirational pamphlet "common sense" provided the final push for independence. a writer only reaches his stature through the amount of passion they put into their work.
- Explains that "paine, thomas." american authors, 1600-1900 (1938): biography reference bank (h.w. wilson). web. 6 may 2014.
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- Thomas Paine’s Ideas that Changed the Worldopinionated essayThroughout his life Thomas Paine supported many of the ideas that formed America and changed the world. His papers and pamphlets served to inform and convince both citizens and leaders of his ideas. He was a revolutionary that supported the rhetoric for the American Revolution in Common Sense. He had inspired American soldiers with The American Crisis. He refuted the idea of the perpetuation of monarchies in the Rights of Man, and eventually meets his careers end with The Age of Reason. Thomas Pain sent letters to Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and many others trying to persuade the nation’s leaders to follow his ideas. Thomas Pain spent his life writing about politics, and political theory and had a massive impact on what will become American culture and way of life, because everything he wrote was to promote the ideas of freedom, equality, and individualism.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas paine supported many of the ideas that formed america and changed the world. his papers and pamphlets served to inform and convince both citizens and leaders of his ideas.
- Explains that thomas paine believed certain freedoms were innate and others were earned. he believed in the freedom of the individual but not in one man to control another.
- Urges citizens to enthrone equality, form a good constitution, divide well its powers, make safe industry and trade, equal distribution of family inheritances, publicity of administration, and freedom of the press.
- Explains thomas paine's outline for the bare minimum that should be included in the social contract for a successful civilization.
- Opines that thomas pain considered certain inalienable rights such as freedom of thought and religion as the base for a civilization that values equality.
- Explains that thomas paine believed that many demographics should be represented in the making of laws and the governing process. the only way a government can function completely and fairly is by having the subjective opinions of every demographic represented.
- Opines that inequality and the burthen of taxation arise from admitting it in one case, and not in all.
- Opines that all men need to have a say (have their interests represented) in the legislation process. if all legislators were farmers, they would not know how to regulate business.
- Opines that many of humanity's problems come from persons with inherent power over other people. if power is inherited, or otherwise obtained, by someone without that hard work or learning how to use the power responsibly and treat people with respect, then you run into great catastrophes.
- Opines that inheriting government is to inherit peoples, as if they were herds. it is wrong to reproach kings with ferocity, brutal indifference, oppressions of the people, and molestations of citizens.
- Opines that any form of monarchy creates a government that is destined to fail, if people are not born on equal grounds than you create leaders that do not value their power and misuse it.
- Explains that thomas paine always held promoting the common good as the key focus of government. a system that allows everyone to prosper requires less regulation.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's vision of society was to educate people with the goal of freeing them from institutionalized religion.
- Opines that thomas paine saw that people could be easily manipulated when leaders told a lie consistent with what was commonly known.
- Explains thomas paine's view that people should be able to do anything that doesn't infringe on the natural rights of other people.
- Analyzes how thomas paine shared his ideas on the purpose of government with as many people as possible. he wrote to thomas jefferson telling him to buy louisiana and wrote essays on declaring rights.
- Describes the first volume of thomas paine's collected works, including "the american crisis," which promoted the idea of america as a self-governing nation during the revolutionary war.
- Analyzes how the second volume of his collected works includes "rights of man", 31 articles making points that defend the french revolution.
- Describes the four volumes of thomas paine's works, including "the age of reason," which contests institutionalized religion and the legitimacy of the bible.
1483 wordsRead More - THOMAS PAINE, MORE THAN COMMON SENSEanalytical essayThomas Paine is undoubtedly one of the most prolific founding fathers of the United States, albeit not in the manner most would expect from a founding father. Paine was not a drafter of the constitution, nor was he an early member of Congress or President of the United States. However, Paine did have a profound impact on society, not only in America, but also abroad. Often remembered for helping spur the American Revolution, yet not as often remembered for the other revolution in France. Two of the more famous writings from Paine are, of course, Common Sense and The Rights of Man, both of which were written during revolutionary times in separate countries. It goes without saying that when a revolution is taking place there will be many on both sides of the war; in both of these instances, Paine was the voice of the people and stood up for what was right regardless of the consequences. I posit Thomas Paine was the most influential man for revolution in America and France despite fear of backlash or imprisonment. In fact, near the end of his life Paine was not only imprisoned, but somehow evaded being beheaded as well. Thomas Paine was even more influential as a result of his extreme lack of self-interest and ability to stay true to the cause of his writings rather than wither away in fear.
In this essay, the author
- Posits that thomas paine was the most influential man for revolution in america and france despite fear of backlash or imprisonment.
- Analyzes how paine went in the opposite direction of congress and washington in common sense, calling george iii a "french bastard" and claiming the royal lineage was founded on fables.
- Analyzes how thomas paine spurred into action an entire continent, raising troop welfare and helping bolster a faltering army with the series of pamphlets known as the crisis.
- Narrates how paine was imprisoned by france on false charges in 1793. his political writings were interpreted as anti-christian, and he didn't receive a crowd of supporters.
- Analyzes how paine's humble upbringing led him to become an excise officer in 1774. he was given a job as the editor of the pennsylvania magazine, where he started into radical journalism.
- Explains that thomas paine was a forward thinker who stood firm in his belief that louis xvi should not be killed as punishment.
- Explains that thomas paine was the most influential man for revolution in america, but he remained true to form and continued to influence world politics more than anyone else.
- Cites gallagher, edward j., nash, david, and paine, thomas.
1890 wordsRead More - On the Principles of Nature and Common Senseanalytical essayThomas Paine could easily be considered the most influential figure from the American Revolution. Although “Common Sense” was then published anonymously, it still directed the Founding Fathers toward seeking independence from England. Thomas Paine addresses these issues when he uses tone to convey his position on freedom of trade to American colonists approximately six months before the American Revolution began (Background).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas paine's "common sense" directed the founding fathers toward independence from england. he addressed these issues by conveying his position on freedom of trade to american colonists six months before the american revolution began.
- Explains that the colonies relationship with britain was a pressing concern in the colonial time period.
- Analyzes how paine uses tone to declare his position on colonial freedom of trade as shown in the quote.
- Explains that thomas paine's "common sense" was published in washington, d.c. by the department of state.
552 wordsRead More - The Path Carved by Thomas Painenarrative essay“Government even in its best state is but a necessay evil in its worst state an intoerable one.” (Brainy quotes 1). This means that the government is cruel in the choices they make and even more cruel in the choices they have to make. Thomas Paine was an important figure in american literature because of the many books he wrote that led to americas success. Thomas paine was born on january 29, 1737 in Thend Ford England. He was raised by his father, a quaker, and heis mother, a anglican. Thomas paine got little education but he did learn to read, write, and do arithmetic. At age 13 he began to work with his dad as a corset maker. Thomas later got a job as a excise officers. Around the year 1760 Thomas’ wife and child both died at childbirth.(Biography 1). Thomas Paine later wrote a 21 page article called “ the case of the officers of Excise”. Thomas met Benjamin Franklin who told him to move to america. Thomas arrived in philadelphia in November 30, 1774(A biograph of Thomas Paine 1). Thomas went on to write many more books like “African Slavery” and “common sense” , his most famous book. He wrote about the great choice the government had to make even if it meant war. Thomas’ writting later led to the path of writting the declaration of independence.(Biography.com 1)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas paine was an important figure in american literature because of the many books he wrote that led to americas success.
- Narrates how thomas paine was secretay for the commitee for forenign affairs in 1777, and how he hid secret negotiations with france.
- Narrates how thomas paine's excitement for returing to the u.s. didn't last long. he was greeted at the whart by a group of jeffersonions.
- Narrates how paine was hated by almost everyone, but he was able to write a book about the yellow fever, which was printed in several states.
795 wordsRead More - Paine's Role in America’s Declaration of Independenceanalytical essayCommon Sense written by Thomas Paine in 1776 in Philadelphia, is political pamphlet that came to be considered as one of the most powerful and effective pamphlets in American history. Considering an up-growth of numerous pressures and tensions between America and Britain throughout the eighteenth century, the risk worth declaring independence from the most powerful country in the world became questionable. Paine's Common Sense spoke up for independence of American colonies from Britain, and it emerged to be the greatest help for the British North American colonists for declaring independence. Common Sense is seen as a set of Paine's arguments and examples written with an aim of convincing the British North American colonist to finally declare their independence.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas paine's common sense was one of the most powerful and effective pamphlets in american history. it spoke up for independence of american colonies from britain, and was the greatest help for the british north american colonists.
- Analyzes how paine's argument was supported by majority of the colonists in north british america since abolition of division meant less wars and more peace for mankind.
- Analyzes how paine's second argument was focused on americas progress and prosperity under brits; he claims how it is necessary for america to maintain strong bonds with great britain.
- Analyzes how paine explains why it is important to declare independence from britain for british north american colonies.
- Explains that paine was a great influence on the british north american colonies that triggered them to pursue the path of freedom and resulted in the american revolution.
595 wordsRead More - Common Sense, American Crisis by Thomas Paineanalytical essayFew writers were as influential and widely read as Thomas Paine during his lifetime, and yet only six people were reported to attend his funeral.1 He provoked strong opinions, whether involving love, hate, or more likely both, throughout his lifetime. Paine wrote Common Sense, American Crisis, Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason, all with a specific purpose depending on the political atmosphere at the given time. He has affected the life of every human being since the publishing of his works.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes philp, mark, and thomas paine. stanford university, 18 july 2013.
- Explains that thomas paine was influential and widely read during his lifetime. he wrote common sense, american crisis, rights of man, and the age of reason, all with a specific purpose depending on the political atmosphere.
- Analyzes how paine wrote common sense to convince the colonists to fight for independence and establish a democratic republic.
- Analyzes how paine emotionally connected with the war weary soldiers and explained that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
- Analyzes how paine wrote rights of man as a defense of the french revolution in response to burke's reflections on the revolution.
- Analyzes how paine wrote the age of reason to educate the common people, specifically the french revolution fighters, on deism.
- Explains that cortesi, david, and destefano, richard, authored "thomas paine's classic age of reason."
1391 wordsRead More - Why Is Thomas Paine Considered A Criminal Traitorexplanatory essayThomas Paine is an English- American political philosopher and writer who formed many of the ideas that marked the Age of Revolution. He is known for his pamphlet “Common Sense” which helped encourage American independence. He has remained a controversial figure, even in his hometown. In 1964 the mayor of Thetford in Norfolk, Paine’s hometown, said he would only agree to a statue of Paine if it was stamped with the words ‘convicted traitor’. Because of his many writings and struggles on behalf of newly-emerging governments, Paine has become symbolic of the modern struggle for human rights and social justice. He was also considered to be ahead of his time in his criticisms of slavery, unfair labor practices, gender inequality, and even cruelty
In this essay, the author
- Describes thomas paine as an english-american political philosopher and writer who formed many of the ideas that marked the age of revolution.
125 wordsRead More - The Irresponsibility of European Monarchyopinionated essayNelson, Craig. Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations. New York: Viking, 2006. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the disadvantages of monarchy and absolutism, referring to its irresponsibility, uncertainty, and collapsal between the dispersal of rights and responsibilities.
- Analyzes how louis xiv, the supreme sovereign in the 17th century, built a flourishing empire, but rather momentary one.
- Opines that louis xiv's responsibility was not for the people, rather than himself; the kingdom of france had a total debt of 60 million livers.
- Analyzes how napoleon, a centric figure in the french history, performed an example of the progressively unreliability of man in power.
- Explains the flaws of absolutism, such as the monarch's personal safety, and how the royalists were divided into separate sides antagonizing each other.
- Opines that protection was hard to provide, but several acts of the parliament relieved elizabeth i from this period of terror.
- Opines that the irresponsible, unreliable, and collapsable properties of dictatorship determined its disappearance in the river of history.
- Opines that somerset, fry plantagenet, the kings & queens of england and scotland. grove weidenfeld, 1990.
- Explains that jacob abbott's the project gutenberg ebook of queen elizabeth, by john s. c. abbott, new york: harper, 1902.
- Cites gengembre, gérard, chalençon, and chanteranne. napoleon: the immortal emperor. new york: vendome, 2003.
- Explains neale, j. e., and sylvia neely. a concise history of the french revolution.
1449 wordsRead More - Thomas Paineexplanatory essayThomas “Tom” Paine was born on January 29th, 1736 in Norfolk, England. His father was Joseph Paine, a Quaker, who was incredibly unhappily wed to Frances, an Anglican attorney’s daughter. His education as a boy was very basic and meagre. He only learned enough writing and math to get him by, and his grammar was almost never perfect. When he was thirteen, he became an apprentice to his father’s work: stay-making, which was the practice of making hefty rope rigging on sailing vessels that secure the masts to the hull of the ship. This was Thetford’s main industry, which, unfortunately, was rather low-paying. Many biographies and rumours about him claim that he and his father were, in fact, both corset-makers. However, this was not true, and was mainly used as a weapon by those who did not approve of him as a way to denigrate him.
In this essay, the author
- Explains thomas paine's education as a boy was basic and meagre. he became an apprentice to his father’s work of stay-making, which was low-paying.
- Describes how a young man was enlisted to attack foreign ships during times of war. he was fascinated by new ideas and authors and used the money he earned from his expedition to acquire books and scientific tools.
- Narrates how he returned to britain and became a master stay-maker, like his father, and married mary lambert, whose life was tragically cut short when both mary and her child died when she went into early labor.
- Narrates how thomas began to get involved with civic matters. he joined the excise officers, who asked parliament for superior working conditions and elevated salaries. paine was fired from this job and his inherited tobacco shop folded.
- Describes how benjamin franklin suggested that he immigrate to colonial america. he sold everything in his possession to evade debtor's prison and divorced elizabeth, his consort of three years.
- Explains that paine was the man who suggested the name "united states of america" for the new nation after they broke away from britain.
- Describes how paine was imprisoned and sentenced to death by beheading during the french revolution in 1973. he escaped by chance due to a mistake of one of the guards.
- Explains that paine returned to the united states in 1802, after being invited to return by thomas jefferson. he apprehended that the memory of all he did for the american revolution was eradicated because of his deistic religious outlook.
- Explains that thomas paine was one of the most influential people on the american revolution. he strayed from the common religious beliefs and went his own way, despite persecution.
946 wordsRead More - The American crisis by Thomas Paineanalytical essayDuring 1776, the United States was at war to gain its own independence from the hands of the tyrant King George III and his kingdom. As the fightt continued, the spirits of the U.S. soldiers began to die out as the nightmares of winter crawled across the land. Thomas Paine, a journalist, hoped to encourage the soldiers back into the fight through one of his sixteen pamphlets, “The American Crisis (No.1)”. In order to rebuild the hopes of the downhearted soldiers, Thomas Paine establishes himself as a reliable figure, enrages them with the crimes of the British crown, and, most importantly evokes a sense of culpability.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas paine, a journalist, encourages the soldiers back into the fight through his sixteen pamphlets, "the american crisis (no.1)".
- Analyzes how paine's pamphlet establishes to his audience that he is a reliable figure by establishing to claim god is with the audience and that god will not give up on them.
- Analyzes how paine infuriates his audience with the corrupted actions of the british crown.
- Analyzes how pain's language evokes infuriation, but ultimately ignites a sense of culpability into his audience. paine logically concludes that the war should only be fought as long as the audience is still alive.
- Analyzes how paine assures his audience that he is reliable, enrages them with the tyrannical actions of the british crown, and induces a sense of culpability upon them.
1086 wordsRead More