Please read your Thomas Paine selection and respond to the following prompts. Use complete sentences and incorporate quotes when required.
1. What is so gosh darn American about his high intelligence and economic limitations?
2. What is so distinctive about his writing style? Use a quote as support.
3. Considering the historical context, how is the following quote so progressive? "...for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken notice of her" (4).
4. Paine compares Britain to "savages" (5). How does this contradict the quote you just worked with above. Or, do you disagree with my observation? What you reckon?
5. The following quote could be heard today: "...dependence on, Great Britain tends directly to involve this continent in European wars and quarrels, and set us at variance with nations who would otherwise seek out friendship, and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint" (6). I would argue you could replace Britain with America and we now have something to think about. Which countries have suffered due to their close alliance with the United States? Or, do you disagree?
6. Which rhetorical strategies does Paine employ to win over his audience? Be specific and use quotes as support.
7. It's interesting, but I would argue, for how "simple" his style is acclaimed to be... it's rather difficult! What do you think?
Due: Before class on Monday, 11.19
1. What is so gosh darn American about his high intelligence and economic limitations?
2. What is so distinctive about his writing style? Use a quote as support.
3. Considering the historical context, how is the following quote so progressive? "...for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken notice of her" (4).
4. Paine compares Britain to "savages" (5). How does this contradict the quote you just worked with above. Or, do you disagree with my observation? What you reckon?
5. The following quote could be heard today: "...dependence on, Great Britain tends directly to involve this continent in European wars and quarrels, and set us at variance with nations who would otherwise seek out friendship, and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint" (6). I would argue you could replace Britain with America and we now have something to think about. Which countries have suffered due to their close alliance with the United States? Or, do you disagree?
6. Which rhetorical strategies does Paine employ to win over his audience? Be specific and use quotes as support.
7. It's interesting, but I would argue, for how "simple" his style is acclaimed to be... it's rather difficult! What do you think?
Due: Before class on Monday, 11.19
1. The fact that Paine grew up in poverty and became one of the most influential writers during the Revolutionary War corresponds with the idea that America is a rags- to- riches country. There is a reason why the States have always been called the "Land of Opportunity", and I believe the innate urge to deviate from what is commonplace is a distinctly American mentality. It is ironic though, because Paine was British.
ReplyDelete2. His simplicity is what makes his writing so different from other Puritan contemporaries. He "needed no ceremonious expressions" (Paine 2), and wrote "to make those who can scarcely read understand" (Paine 2).
3. Paine favored immediate change and promoted social reform, therefore the said quote is progressive because it is claiming that America would have been better off without the intervention of Europe. It is quite rare for an Englishman of this time period to admit that perhaps his home country is not making things better for others. Common Sense was written with the intent to start a rebellion. To publish such a thing would've been considered slanderous to the King of England, especially after England's contribution in the French and Indian War.
4. I don't believe Paine's reference to savages contradicts his prior writing. Regarding the context, his concept is quite clear if read between the lines. He was claiming that even the savages of North America could have made the country better than England had, and that England was the savage for "making war on its family" and "devouring its young"(Paine 5).
5. America has this amazing talent for sticking its nose into other people's business. There are many countries that have had issues since becoming Allies with the United States. Cuba has had tension with the U.S ever since the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Japan, while improving its relationship greatly with the U.S, has been forced under document to exterminate its military, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from opposing nations. Many South American countries- such as Columbia and Venezuela, have deteriorated severely due to the drug trafficking that is active throughout the continent and into southwestern America. Mexico also has been a victim of the negative affects of drug trafficking and gang wars. Due to the U.S being highest bidder for Central and South American narcotics, Mexico sits right in between one of the top drug producers and one of the top drug consumers.
6. Paine incorporates personification, imagery and propaganda into Common Sense. He calls countries as if they were men and women, or refers to them as savage. Imagery is laden throughout the text, with lines like "The least fracture now would be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters" (Paine 4). His propaganda is stark and stinging. "Let our imaginations transport us a few moments to Boston, that seat of wretchedness will teach us wisdom, and instruct us forever to renounce a power in whom we can have no trust" (Paine 7).
7. I actually loved reading this. I imagined how inspiring it must've been to see this kind of document for the first time back then. It's a shame that these days people seem hesitant to write anything at all when they are protected by the law to do so. I didn't find it nearly as difficult as Jonathan Edwards, yet I found the two to be alike in many ways. While Edwards preaches passionately about the existence of God and that we must put every last drop of faith into Him, Paine is arguing that the colonists must break their trust with England, with just as much zest as his overly religious counterpart.
1. Although Paine was troubled by poverty, which will be the economic limitation, he was able to advance into many jobs as a journalist, schoolteacher, exciseman, etc. because of his high intelligence. I don’t really know what it gosh American about it, but I guess it is interesting to see how he was able to publish a novel popular in America, although he is British.
ReplyDelete2. His writing is so distinctive because, “Paine’s great gift as a stylist was ‘plainness’” (Paine 1). He said he does not need any elaborate expressions, as long as the writing “bring out a clear conclusion that shall hit the point in question and nothing else” (Paine 2).
3. This quote is progressive because it tells how America can develop without any help from Europe. Before this quote, it mentions how development has the same effect all the time. So I guess it tells how countries develop naturally without much notice, and great work.
4. I don’t really know if this idea contradicts the quote above, but I think this does not contradict the writing. Throughout the passage, it emphasizes on how the Britain has brought ominous signs to America, and it is a government that has to end soon. So I guess the way Britain acts and governs can be seen as savages.
5. I agree that America could replace Britain because we see how America is associated with many countries around the world, and not always for the best reason. Japan and America is said to have a stable relation. But on the contrary, some analyze that Japan is copying America, and how Japan is like a dependency of America. I think this brings a negative image to Japan. Also, America has a bad reputation from Iraq, because America started the Iraq war. And other countries that have bad relations with America are Russia, China, North Korea, etc.
6. First obvious rhetorical strategies are personification. “That she hath engrossed us is true, and defended the continent at our expense as well as her own” (Paine 4). Paine refers Britain as a ‘she’. And I am not sure if this is a rhetorical strategy, but whenever he explains about a countries relation, he refer it to as a real life example. “But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murders, then are you unworthy the name of husband, father, friend, or lover...you have the heart of a coward” (Paine 8). This talks about how other countries can be seen as a coward if they allied with Britain, without any intention.
7. I thought this reading was quite difficult. I did not know why it is ‘simple’. I guess the language was not as hard, but the content was a bit difficult to understand. I actually liked the Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God better than this, because I found the content to be interesting than this one. Thomas Paine mostly discussed about Great Britain and America, which was basically government based. But I did agree in parts that mentioned about how “a country desolate with fire and sword, declaring war against the natural rights of all mankind...is the concern of every man to whom nature hath give the power of feeling” (Paine 3).
1.Thomas Paine’s situation was ‘American’ because he came out of a poor family and worked his way up to become successful. He was a “remarkable man, self-taught and curious”(2). America is known to give opportunity for everyone to become prosperous, no matter your social class, gender, age, race, or religion.
ReplyDelete2. Paine is distinctive for his “plainness” without “ceremonious expressions”(2). Paine wrote in this way so that illiterates could understand too. He even states this in the first sentence of Part III, mentioning that “In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense”(Paine 3).
3. The quote is progressive because Paine points out publicly that the colonies in America would have flourished better without European countries exerting power on them. Paine was born in England, and I’m assuming that a man arguing to his own home country was surprising back then.
4. I believe Paine’s reference to Britain as “savages” is not contradicting. The text is just providing examples to emphasize how shameful Britain is if it were to be called the “parent country”(Paine 5) of America. He makes contrast by mentioning that “even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families”(Paine 5). Plus Paine surely does not think Britain is the parent country because Britain did not “protect us from our enemies on our account”(Paine 5).
5. I agree. America tends to involve itself with many country’s problems for its own benefits. Japan and Afghanistan are two that immediately popped in my mind. Another country is Vietnam; America decided to butt into their civil war, dragging other anti-communist countries to go against North Vietnam and its communist allies. Operations spanned international borders; Laos and Cambodia was heavily bombed too. Plus, chemicals the U.S military spread continue to change the landscape, cause diseases and birth defects, and poison the food chain even today.
6. One rhetorical strategy Paine used was metaphor. He said how some argued that because America flourished under British rule, it is necessary for America to remain tightly bonded to Britain. He connected this argument to his metaphor and said “we may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat”(Paine 4). He disproves the argument by stating it would be the equal to saying that just because a baby thrived upon milk, it should never eat meat. He wins over the audience by this since metaphors simplify complex arguments by connecting them to familiar concepts, making the pamphlet understandable to a wider audience.
7. I found this reading to be actually harder than “Sinners in the Angry Hands of God”. The sermon was more lengthy but it was repetitive, and the content wasn’t as hard as this one. But at the same time this pamphlet drew my attention more, because it is fascinating how an Englishman back then spoke for American colonists with an argument for freedom from his own country.
1. The idea of Thomas Paine's high intelligence and economic limitations correlates to the notion of the American Dream, and thus the "American-ness" of himself. Although I thought it was ironic because he's British, the struggle of his economic background not keeping from his academic successes was something that many colonists had dreamed of when coming to the New World, and he had achieved it.
ReplyDelete2. The simplicity of his writing distinguished itself from other Puritan authors. He was able "to put arguments in a language as plain as the alphabet" (Paine 2), and was interested in being able to "bring out a clear conclusion that shall hit the point in question and nothing else" (Paine 2).
3. The quote is progressive, because it says that American would have been fine, or even better off without Europe's help. From the perspective of the King of England, it would seem like a complete insult. But Paine's Common Sense was meant to do just that; cause an uprising, and to see change.
4. I don't think it contradicts the above quote. What I think he meant was that if the so-called savages in America created a country that was better than what England had, England would show savagely tendencies by "making war upon their families" (Paine 5). Afterall, "Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct" (Paine 5).
5. I think that it's pretty accurate to say that America either likes, or has a habit of poking and prodding other countries' issues and become a part of it. Japan is pretty much defenseless because they don't have a way to defend themselves, because they don't have a military (although there are many American bases on Japanese soil). This was America's decision. Even though Japan and America is said to have a stable relationship, it is easy to say that Japan, and other countries alike have lost things in order for this connection to work.
6. Rhetorical strategies that Paine used to further prove his point included: use of tone and imagery. The very first line after his Introduction gave me a good idea of his tone, and how he felt about the message he was writing about: "In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense.." (Paine 3). It shows that his main concern was presenting his facts and arguments, and that was it. For imagery, I liked this one the best: "The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth" (Paine 4). It means that Paine puts a lot of value on preserving the names and wishes of those before, so that future generations can remember them.
7. For a supposedly simple passage, it was a lot to intake and understand, but I didn't dislike the process of it. It wasn't extremely enjoyable either, but at least I had a pretty solid understanding about what Thomas Paine was trying to convey in his work, and when I am able to thoroughly understand what is said in the text, I fare pretty well. As a reading experience, I applaud Paine; simple language is the best way to put forth common sense for anyone to comprehend.
1.Thomas Paine’s life was particularly ‘American’ because he was born into a poor family and worked his way into a successful life.
ReplyDelete2. Paine’s writing is so distinctive because of its “plainness” and lack of “ceremonious expressions”(2). He wrote this way so that his audience wouldn't be limited to only literate people.
3. It is a progressive quote because Paine focuses on the fact that the colonies in America would have flourished without European countries influences and power.
4. I think Paine’s reference is not contradictory. the quote only emphasizes how shameful Britain would be if it was called the “parent country”(5).
5. I agree. America does involve itself in other countries affairs, but as do many other countries as well, especially when it concerns the economy or safety of the people. Laos is the country I think of when it comes to American alliances. the amount of UXO’s is still threatening the people today.
6. Personification was one rhetorical strategy Paine used to win over his audience. “That she hath engrossed us is true, and defended the continent at our expense as well as her own” (Paine 4) Paine refers to Britain as a ‘she’. He often personified countries to give the audience a better understanding of the situation.
7. I found this reading more interesting but difficult compared to “Sinners in the Angry Hands of God”. The sermon was repetitive and to the point. The Historical events in Thomas Paine’s writing confused me.
1. The fact that he had to advance himself through the working class; working at a corset shop, tobacconist, grocer, schoolteacher, and government official. He’s somewhat of a good symbol of a hardworking American.
ReplyDelete2. Compared to Jonathan Edwards, Paine has a simple writing style. He even states “I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” (Paine 3). He was trying to appeal to common folk, so he did not find it necessary to use complicated, fancy language.
3. The fact that someone that early in history made a statement like that is quite impressive. Most people of Thomas Paine’s time would have thought differently, that America was the solution of all their problems.
4. The previous quote notes that some people feel that in order for America to have a prosperous future, Great Britain needs to stay in control. Paine disagrees, saying that America would have a more prosperous future if European powers had never found it. The author then notes how Britain is attacking America like a savage would attack its own offspring. Hence, I see no contradiction in the two quotes.
5. I agree; I’d say every single war that America has been involved in since World War II has been more of a waste then it was worth. South Vietnam, Somalia, and Iraq are some examples of how America has contributed to the suffering of its allies.
6. I thought the section in which Paine explains why people immigrated to America was quite powerful. “This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the moth, but from the cruelty of the monster; and its so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still” (Paine 5). This quote not only expresses the truth of why many had left Europe, but insults England in the process.
7. I’d say that it’s somewhat simple in a sense; the word choice is quite basic, although a very a high register, but the grammar is quite strange, like how the words are arranged. It takes a tiny bit more effort to read. As far as the concept goes, I found it a bit difficult to wrap my head around, but I think I understand the overall concept.
1. He was born in a poor family but eventually worked with his situation until he became prominent and worked his way up to write something that would become so.
ReplyDelete2. The fact that he wrote for everyone, "those who can scarcely read understand" (Paine). This simplicity was probably beneficial to him in the way that anyone would be able to follow his ideas and wouldn't simply dismiss him because they didn't follow.
3. It basically says; "We don't need you and we never did" and "We're better off without you!" to Britain, America would be insulting them and this was progressive because Britain was seen as the only reason they were there in the first place.
4. The quote does not contradict the statement above in my opinion because he is just reinforcing what he feels is not a good country to be ruling over the colonies, or even be considered a part of them.
5. I agree that America gets involved in a lot of other country's issues, and other countries tend to do this as well. There was a lot of talk about this during the election, especially after the 3rd debate, that why does America seem to think they are the "hall monitor" for the rest of the world. I don't know where to stand on this issue but I know that many countries have been affected negatively from US/ other outside influence/conflict, such as the involvement of the US in the Vietnam war.
6. Paine uses the strategy of personification he compares the continent to a person's life actions and procrastination; "Until an independence is declared the continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity." (Paine)
7. Because of its simplicity, it is not extremely interesting or enjoyable to read. This makes it difficult to read as it is a lot of information to take in and honestly, it gets boring, and confusing at the same time.
There is a clear progression in his life that reflets the hardworking american. The american dream.
ReplyDeleteI would say that his style is unique not only because of it's plainness but because of his genuinity(is that a word..?). When i read this writing i picture him sitting in the house of a farmer and speaking to that farmer personally.
The colonies were a project by Britain to make money. The colonies were a gamble for britain from the start and this quote proves that they made the wrong choice.
I suppose in the context of the quote, this could be contradictory because he is speaking of family and in a way, the colonies were "family" of britain as a country.
Well we know America involves itself in other countries business based on things like the vietnam war. But i suppose that's not exactly what you're asking. Ambiguous.
"The present winter ...will partake of the misfortune" Paine uses this ben-franklin-strategy of join or die. It is present throughout this piece. Although i'm not sure if it is technically a rhetorical strategy.
I find it difficult only because i am not a colonist debating whether i should join the revolution. That's who this is written for. Not seniors in high school. haha.
1.Despite his poverty, Thomas Paine was a "Ingenious, worthy young man"(1), as Benjamin referrs. He was able to bring himself up to success, and become one of the most influential writers in the eighteenth-century. This idea of success is so " American" because, America is often known as the Land of Opportunity, where all people have a chance.
ReplyDelete2.Thomas Pain's was distinctive because it was simple. He says " It is my design, to make those who can scarcely read undersstand, as plain as the alpahbet" (2).
3. This quote shows Thomas Pain's opinion on how American could have flourished just the same or even more without the influence of Great Britain, and this show's great progress especailyl coming out a British man.
4.I think Thomas Paine referring to Briatin as saveages does contradict with the former text. He says, " the more shame upon her ( Britain) conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make wat upon their families" (5). I think this statement is a proof to his previous statement, that American would have been better off without Britain, and would have developed into a better country than it is.
5.I would agree. America likes to butt into other countrie's business. With Iraq, the problem with north korea, with china all these issues somehow include America, and i don't understand why. I don't see and European countries butting in, so I feel like America doesn't have the right to do so. But again I know nothing of politics so I can't really say anything.
6. Paine used alot of Personification, and comparison, and I think that really helped the readers understand what he trying to explain what Britain meant to America. " Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster" (5), in this quote Paine describes the realtionship between Britain and America as the realtion of a mother and a child then continuing describes Britain as a monster. Later one in the test he writes, " wherefore, by the same method of reasoning, England ought to be governed by France"(6) He alter on points out that , England was once brought up to its postition by France and compared it to what Britain is doing to America.
7. I would agree. While reading this piece of writing, I did not for a second think it was simple nor easy to understand. But I do feel the text did have and inspiring meaning to it. I can imagine why people were high in spirits after reading it.
1.The reason that Thomas Paine fled England to come to America was because of the inequality that he felt. Despite having high intelligence, he was unable achieve a great social status in his own nation due to his poverty. However, coming to America provided him new opportunities, where he freely expressed his own thoughts as a journalist and succeeded. America was a land of opportunity even before it was officially born.
ReplyDelete2.Thomas Paine’s writing style is distinct due to its plainness and simplicity. After all, his objective was to pass on his message to everybody, including “those who can scarcely read”(2) and not to write elaborate passages about complex philosophical concepts. He claims that his writings are clear, to the point, and easy to understand.
3.The quote is so progressive because Thomas Paine himself was born and raised in England, yet he felt such strong feelings against his own nation, to the extent of stating such a quote, suggesting that America would be better off without the control of Britain. By writing Common Sense, Paine planted the mindset of rebellion in the minds of American colonists even deeper, and brought forth many changes.
4.I don’t really see how it contradicts the previous quote because in this case Paine was only exaggerating and degrading England to be less than savages. He says that if Britain is supposedly the mother country of America as some declare, then it is less than savages because not even they “make war upon their families”. However I feel like this comparison is a bit too extreme.
5.I agree. Ever since I was a child, I had the notion that America was at the center of the world and was the leader of all countries. It seemed that way in many aspects, including the entertainment industry, politics, and so on. However, I think that sometimes America buds into other countries’ business too much, usually with the excuse that they are there defend that country. However, for example, in the recent Japan-China incident, if it hadn’t been for America who granted the Senkaku Island back to Japan without China’s acknowledgement, things wouldn’t have gotten so out of control. In addition, a while back, America sent military troops to the Okinawa base, causing discomfort in the Okinawa citizens and even caused several rape incidents.
6.Thomas Paine uses rhetorical devices such as hyperbole, and personification to win over his audience. For example hyperbole is shown where he compared England to be less than ‘brutes’ and ‘savages’, and personification is used throughout the piece by saying ‘her’ and ‘she’ instead of ‘England’s’ and ‘England’ and also in places such as “she did not protect us from our enemies on our account” (5).
7.I would also argue that this whole piece was rather difficult and hard to understand than being “simple” like he claimed. He included quite a few hard words, which directly contradicts what he said about making “those who can scarcely read understand”. However I would agree that if I was to read this back then, I would have been inspired by its content, albeit being very shocked as well.
1. Thomas Paine is exemplary of America because he is from a poor family but worked his way through to gain and deserve his status. His attitude reflects his national trait as a hard worker.
ReplyDelete2. His writing was so distinctive because of his "plainness", therefore did not use any "ceremonious expressions" (2). His language was simple and to the point, so to help those who were not as keen as he was or were other highly educated people to understand.
3. This quote is progressive because it is pointing out a rather "new" idea at that time; it is enforcing America's possibility in flourishing without the help of European countries, probably mainly referring to Great Britain. This is contradicting the "mother" country of the colony which is usually seen to be more powerful than the colonies, themselves. Also, the fact that it is coming from a British man makes it even more controversial.
4. I do agree that it contradicts the quote in a way that if the British were savages, they would not have been able to take over America and establish any kind of society there from the beginning. However, it can also be taken in the sense that it's stating that America would have flourished even more on its own which shows the disorder that was obviously caused by the colonization.
5. America has a great talent in, not to be offensive or anything, letting others do the dirty jobs and not be even noticed for them. They would get involved in international problems when not asked to and even become the source of those problems, for exapmle, the Senkaku Islands. America also has taken much of the military control over Japan; Japan is only allowed to have a defense army while America sets its bases all around Japan. That has caused many problems and though we should not make any generalizations, Japanese people has learned to not really trust the American soldiers after the violences and abuses of power over Japanese citizens; and many also got away from their crimes because the Japanese government does not have any control over the soldiers once they enter the American military bases.
6. His use of synecdoche and the personifications of the countries a few rhetoric strategies that Paine used. He refers to "England ought to be governed by France" when really it is the governments of those countries and not the country itself (6). This gives a generalization of the country which inputs more importance in each arguments, making them really powerful. I think this also leads in setting in one's selves a patriotic side to believe in.
7. I think that the language itself is quite simple and to the point. I mean it's not really developed with any unnecessary adjectives. However, it seemed harder because he has many different points to argue which makes it confusing. Paine's effort in making the text as simple, actually made it even difficult to read because the ideas are continuous yet, quickly developed and connected to a different one, which does not give much time for the readers to process the previous arguments.
Isabel:
ReplyDelete1) "The discrepancy between his high intelligence and the limitations imposed on him by poverty and caste..." The fact that Paine was able to rise to fame and great intelligence out of almost nothing is the basic "American Dream".
2) . Paine used "no ceremonious expressions" (pg. 2), and directed his writing towards "those who can scarcely read understand" (pg. 2). For a Puritan writer, this was a very new and innovative concept.
3) Paine stresses in his writing how he thinks America can develop and flourish without any help from Britain. This quote is "progressive" because this was a very radical idea; most people in America at the time were of British descent or has strong British ties.
4) Paine states that the "savages" of North America have a better form of government than Britian because they do not "[make] war on [their] family" (pg. 5). I don't think this quote is contradictory; Paine's disgust for the British government is reflected throughout the entire piece.
5) This is completely true. America is a very jingoistic country overall, and many people in other countries hate America as much as America hated Britain, if not more so.
6) One of the many rhetorical strategies Paine uses is metaphor. “We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat”(pg. 4). He is saying that the child (America), will be able to survive on milk (sustenance) but will never be able to taste true meat (freedom).
7) I found this reading very difficult, at least as difficult as "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". As much as Paine is famous for simplifying his writing, he still is a Puritan author. Old English is always hard to decipher.