"Give Me Seven Years"
analytical Essay
773 words
Thomas Paine returned to Europe from his time in America as a revolutionist. He had changed the minds of thousands of Americans in the way they thought about their revolution. Many of them did not know what they were fighting for. Paine put true hatred for the king of England in the minds of Americans and gave them new meaning to the war they were fighting, both on the home front and on the battleground. Paine saw it all when he was in America. His character in Howard Fast’s Citizen Tom Paine, explains his involvement on the battleground and the motive Common Sense had on the people. On page 115, Fast explains the rise of Paine thanks to his little book, saying, “He was no longer Tom Paine; suddenly, he had become Common Sense. He had written a little book, a hope or suggestion; he was a stranger in a tidewater colony that had defied the world. He was a nobody, yet out of that he became everybody.” This quote shows the rise of Paine to popularity in America. After Common Sense, everyone expected Paine to come through again in Europe. On page 198 of Citizen Tom Paine, Paine explains: “We won a constitution and we won a democratic state legislature, and then, loyal to the confederation, we sent our men by the thousands to fight with General Washington. I saw that myself.” Paine knew he had accomplished so much in America, but when he returned to England, now much older, he didn’t know if he’d be able to bring the same amount of energy into the European revolutions, such as the French Revolution, for he was older, and the European revolutions were remarkably different than the one in America. When Thomas Paine arrived in England, he wrote Rights of Man, which was a liberal attack on Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in ... ... middle of paper ... .... In conclusion, the real reason Paine couldn’t make such as big influence on the French Revolution as he did the one in America was because it was vastly different. In France, the revolution had already begun and the people knew exactly what they were fighting against, the absolute monarchs. In America, Paine’s path was much clearer. Paine knew people were not too happy about high taxes from the king, but he knew they didn’t quite know what was going on, so he wrote Common Sense to enhance American citizens’ hatred for the king, and drive them to revolt. It seemed to be that age didn’t make any difference in Paine’s involvement in the French Revolution, because his main weapon was writing, and he could still do that when he was in France. It was just a matter of the vast differences between the two revolutions, something Citizen Tom Paine could do nothing about.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas paine changed the minds of thousands of americans and gave them new meaning to the war they were fighting.
- Analyzes how thomas paine wrote rights of man, which was a liberal attack on edmund burke's reflections on the revolution in france.
- Analyzes how howard fast's citizen tom paine explains how he intended to write a common sense for every country in europe, but his intentions didn't work out.
- Concludes that the real reason why paine couldn't make such a big influence on the french revolution as he did in america was because it was vastly different.
Related
- analytical
- argumentative
- Analysis Of Thomas Paine's Common Senseanalytical essayThrough showing colonists that the last resort to free themselves from Britain was important, Thomas Paine helped influence the revolution, while slightly influencing the Declaration of Independence. Only after Common Sense came out did the founding fathers realize they needed independence. Even they were not brave enough to stand against British rule. There are quite a few differences between the language used in the Declaration and Common Sense. While Common sense was written for common people to read, the Declaration was written in a way to get alliances with Europe. One of the alliances was with England, which Thomas Paine wanted to cut off all ties with England. The founding fathers did have more lose if they went down Paine’s route, the British could have them killed. “The state of a king shuts him from the world, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly; wherefore the different parts, unnaturally opposing and destroying each other, prove the whole character to be absurd and
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how paine spoke bluntly and plainly to win over more colonists for freedom. he wanted independence and for america to be a beacon of freedom for other countries.
- Analyzes how paine's appeal to logos was highly used in common sense, when he pointed out reasons to break free of britain.
- Analyzes how paine uses ethos to show his sense of morality. his blunt speech shows how caring he is as a leader.
- Analyzes how thomas paine helped influence the revolution, while influencing the declaration of independence. the declaration was written to get alliances with europe.
1015 wordsRead More - How Did Thomas Paine Influence The Common Sense?analytical essayThomas Paine’s name is famous because of a pamphlet he wrote in 1776 called Common Sense. Though it is his most renown piece of work it wasn’t the only thing he was famous for, he also wrote The American Crisis series and the Rights of Man. Going by the titles of his works you can easily assume that he was political activist writer. His main interests were Politics, ethics, and religion. From my research I feel like Thomas was always involved in some type of crisis whether it be the American Revolution, French Revolution, or the many government debates over naturel rights. It is Thomas Paine’s Common Sense that drove the American colonist to support the war for independence from Britain. Common Sense is an iconic piece of work that not only
In this essay, the author
- Opines that thomas paine's common sense is an iconic piece of work that influenced the american colonist to support the war for independence from britain.
- Analyzes how thomas paine wrote common sense to bring out the reality of the situation to the people that war is necessary for our rights to be won.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's document paints a good picture of how life was for the american colonist in the 1770’s by discussing the heavy taxation by great britain.
- Opines that great britain's motive was not attachment, and that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her own account.
- Analyzes how common sense paints a perfect picture of how thomas paine and the colonist felt about the wars they were involved in and how they could be friends the enemies with neighboring countries.
- Analyzes how thomas paine talks about a lot of different issues in common sense, but there are three things he mentioned that are most important.
- Analyzes how thomas paine inspired the colonists to revolt against britain and laid the foundation of the government that would arise after the revolution.
1084 wordsRead More - Paine and Henry´s Influence on the American Revolutionanalytical essayIn a time full of chaos, desperation, and dissenting opinions, two definitive authors, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry, led the way toward the American Revolution. Both men demanded action of their separate audiences. Paine wrote to inspire the commoners to fight while Henry spoke extemporaneously to compel the states’ delegates to create an army. Despite the differences between the two, both had very similar arguments which relied heavily upon God, abstract language, and ethos. In the end, both men were able to inspire their audiences and capture the approval and support of the masses. If not for these two highly influential and demanding men, the America that we know today might not exist.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the eighteenth century brought opinionated writers to the forefront in support or refutation of the coming american revolution. thomas paine, a radical propagandist, wrote many pieces during this time.
- Analyzes how paine and henry formed successful arguments based partly upon transfer, recognizing god as the foundation of truth and justice which most people were inclined to accept.
- Analyzes how henry used god to urge the delegates into war. his reassuring tone helps the audience accept his view and allows them believe that there is indeed hope.
- Analyzes how both controversial men used abstract language to connect with the audience. paine used "freedom" and did not elaborate upon its meaning, allowing each person to derive their own meaning.
- Analyzes how thomas paine and henry used pathos to persuade audiences to action. both used anecdotes and name-calling to build up emotion.
- Analyzes how thomas paine and patrick henry led the way toward the american revolution. both men demanded action of their separate audiences.
963 wordsRead More - Thomas Paine and Thomas Jeffersonanalytical essayPaine believed that America needed to break free of the British clutches. He spoke out against slavery and joined the army to help fight the war. He did not agree with hereditary monarchy and wrote another paper to argue this point (Franklin 321). Paine was very aware of his criticizers, and worked very hard to persuade them toward his way of thinking. In his pamphlet Common Sense he writes: "I have heard it asserted by some, that as America has flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect"(Paine 323). Paine states the following argument: ."..for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and proba...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas paine was a journalist who urged the public to break free from great brittan. he wrote anonymously, yet addressed public as he spoke out about his beliefs.
- Analyzes how paine believed that america needed to break free of the british clutches. he spoke out against slavery and joined the army to fight the war.
- Explains that although thomas paine had great thoughts and ideas, it wasn't until thomas jefferson helped write the declaration of independence that america came to his side of thinking.
- Analyzes how jefferson thought that the monarchy in england had gone bad. he describes the king in vivid detail.
- Analyzes how jefferson discusses wanting to be an individual country completely separated from england. the new world wants to conduct war and peace on their own terms, be able to trade freely and contract alliances.
- Explains that paine and jefferson had many common goals and set the tone for future governments to step up and make a difference.
466 wordsRead More - Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was a powerful and successful propaganda weapon used to promote his idea of independence from Britain. In order to prove that seeking independence was necessary at this time in history, Paine wrote about the relationship between society and government, his opinions about the British monarchy and the King, and the freedoms he believed had been stolen from the colonists. Common Sense was written in terms that were easily relatable to the colonist of this time period. After they finished reading his work, many colonists’ opinions about the British were swayed by his strong words. Even though Paine arrived in America quite late, he was able to make a significant difference by changing the colonists’ views, which ultimately
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas paine's common sense was a powerful and successful propaganda weapon used to promote his idea of independence from britain.
- Analyzes thomas paine's views on the distinction between society and government, stating that government is an evil, while society is a blessing.
- Analyzes how paine's hatred and concerns about the king and monarchy were another reason he called for a revolution.
- Analyzes how paine argued for starting a revolution before conditions in new england got worse.
- Analyzes how paine called for declaring independence because he felt it was a good time for america to revolt due to its size and navy, as compared to britain's.
- Explains that not all people who read common sense agreed with paine's ideas. he believed the slave trade was a sin and that it was the devil’s work.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's common sense was able to reach a wide audience because he was an understandable writer and used the bible to appeal to his audience.
- Describes thomas paine as the "father of the revolution" who composed and distributed powerful and effective arguments to the masses of freedom-hungry colonists.
1398 wordsRead More - Comparing Thomas Paine's Common Sense and Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independenceargumentative essayThomas Paine constructs Common Sense as an editorial on the subject of the relationship between the Colonies and Great Britain. Through the paper, he hopes to educate his fellow Americans about this subject. In his introduction, he says he feels that there is 'a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong'; which 'gives it a superficial appearance of being right'; (693). He is alluding to the relationship, also calling it a 'violent abuse of power'; (693). This choice of words is similar to those of Jefferson, who asserts that the king had established an 'absolute tyranny'; over the states. Both men set an immediate understanding about their feelings towards the rule of Great Britain over the States. However, where Common Sense seems to be an opinionated essay, Thomas Jefferson writes somewhat of a call to battle. Paine generally seems to be alerting his readers to the fact that there is more going on than they are aware of. Jefferson, on the other hand, begins his declaration by stating, 'When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another'; (715). Unlike Paine, this seems to presuppose that readers are aware of the plight of the nation, and Jefferson is announcing that the time has come to take a stand.
In this essay, the author
- Compares thomas paine's common sense with thomas jefferson’s declaration of independence, stating the similarities and differences in tone between the two.
- Analyzes how thomas paine constructs common sense as an editorial on the subject of the relationship between the colonies and great britain.
- Compares common sense in concept with the majority of the declaration of independence. paine presents his ideas in a persuasive essay style.
- Compares the tone of paine's third chapter, 'thoughts on the present state of american affairs,' with the declaration of independence, which is bold and assertive.
- Analyzes how paine's tone differs from that of jefferson and jefferson. both men knew of the significance of their documents.
- Concludes that jefferson and paine show similar views and intentions in their respective documents. both writers argue that the new states would be better off without the ties to great britain.
1125 wordsRead More - What Is The Differences Between Edmund Burke And Thomas Paineanalytical essayIn both Reflections on the Revolutions in France and Common Sense, 18th century writers Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine believe that mankind is entitled to certain natural rights. However, the two are in opposition concerning the best way in which these natural rights can be protected. In response to the revolutions occurring in France, Burke in his Reflections on the Revolutions in France expresses his concerns for Great Britain and urges his country to not be swayed in the passionate, yet cataclysmic revolutionary mindset corrupting France. In his writings, Burke remains adamant in his belief that the preservation of balance and order lies in adherence to historical precedent. In contrast to Burke, Paine in his highly influential pamphlet entitled
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how burke and paine's views on the preservation of natural rights stem from their contrasting views of the past.
- Analyzes burke's argument that the past is essential in upholding the rights of man by preserving present and future society and government functions.
- Explains that they have taken care not to inoculate any cyon alien to the nature of the original plant. all reformation has proceeded upon the principle of reference to antiquity.
- States burke's view that the rights of man are endowed and preserved through heredity, thus establishing present society and government in accordance with the past.
- Opines that burke's perspective is that france’s attempt to overthrow their monarchical government and present society assures that the glory of europe is extinct forever.
- Compares thomas paine's views with those of edmund burke, who believes that hereditary inheritance is the root of all evil. inequalities based on human imagination are blasphemous.
- Opines that when a man seriously reflects on the idolatrous homage which is paid to the persons of the kings, he need not wonder, that the almighty, ever jealous of his honor, should disapprove of government which impiously invades heaven.
- Analyzes how paine argues that it tyrannically oppressed natural rights that leaves the world in "blood and ashes."
- Explains that adam sinned, and the first electors obeyed; all mankind were subject to satan and sovereignty; and both disable us from re-assuming former state and privilege.
- Analyzes how paine contrasts burke's argument that revolution, no matter how bloody, is necessary to cleanse the world built on corrupt historical precedents.
- Compares the views of edmund burke and thomas paine on how natural rights can be preserved. burke believed that historical precedence through hereditary inheritance established peace and order, while pain
963 wordsRead More - Common Sense: An Influence on American Independenceanalytical essayPaine had not entertained the idea of independence from Britain when he arrived in America. He thought it was “a kind of treason” to break away from Britain. It was not until the Battle of Lexington in 1775 that he considered “the compact between Britain and America to be broken” (Claeys). This idea of a broken compact allowed Thomas Paine to write a political pamphlet.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how paine argues that america has the "largest body of armed and disciplined men under heaven" which is needed to break the hold that britain has over the colonies.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's political pamphlet, common sense, influenced many americans to fight for independence from britain.
- Analyzes paine's argument that the american people will be oppressed if they continue to be ruled by the british government.
- Explains claeys, gregory, thomas paine: social and political thought, boston: unwin hyman, 1989. henretta, james a, and david brody, america: a concise history.
1222 wordsRead More - American Diversity Thomas Paineanalytical essayThomas Paine did not know it at the time, but he was predicting the future of American diversity. The intelligent, patriotic, pamphleteer wrote about the glorious country that was emerging in the West. He wrote about the benefits of being an American and the unexpected success of the new nation.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas paine predicted the future of american diversity. he wrote about the glorious country emerging in the west and the unexpected success of the new nation.
- Explains that america was not expected to settle its peoples' differences because it had a never-before-seen diversity.
- Analyzes how thomas paine's words can be applied to modern america, such as "the poor are not oppressed" and "made up, as it is, of people from different nations."
359 wordsRead More - Thomas Paine and Common Senseanalytical essayIn early 1776 the sentiment surrounding the idea of revolution was evenly divided in Britain's colonies in America. The feelings were split evenly between those for a revolt, those opposing it and those who were neutral. In January 1776 Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense. The ideas and theories expressed in the pamphlet were very compelling and thorough. Compelling enough to sway much of the undecided colonists to agree that revolt is the necessary course of action. Paine states in the introduction to Common Sense "a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at fist a formidable outcry in defense of custom." This argument is not one of listing injustices or even reasons for revolt but it does provoke the reader to decide if his thoughts are genuine or from not thinking critically about the times and situations.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how paine's ideas and theories were compelling enough to sway many undecided colonists to agree that revolt is necessary.
- Analyzes how paine argues that the british constitution is a system of checks and balances and the commons are the check on the king.
- Analyzes how paine believes that the british protect their colonies is the same as a sheep's sheep. the british only cares about their north american colonies because they supply raw materials.
- Analyzes how paine concludes common sense by contending that the colonies have an opportunity to make a government the correct way.
- Analyzes jefferson's arguments for the colonists' right to rebel in the declaration of independence, including the theories of consent, natural rights, and self-evident truths.
- Explains that jefferson's pursuit of happiness was not a subjective term. amartya sen argued that true happiness is when the capacities of people are realized.
- Explains jefferson's statement that "governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes." the "long train of abuses and usurpations" committed by the british government were reason enough to rebel.
- Opines that the cost of violating the natural rights of man and the pursuit of happiness is the consent of the governed.
- Explains jonathan boucher's theological argument that christians must obey the constitutions of every nation in which they live.
- Explains that many believed that britain had a fair government because different social classes were represented. the british constitution was the greatest contract of government in the world.
1085 wordsRead More