Character Analysis Of Thomas Paine's Characterization Of America

Thomas Paine claims in Common Sense that the people living in America do not need to tolerate the oppression from their British overlords. His main purpose for writing this pamphlet was to expose the injustice of the British towards the Americans and to persuade those who still believed that the British were either needed or were beneficial for the Americans in 1776. Paine values the idea that the Americans need to revolt against their evil ,oppressive, monarchical rulers in Britain and to establish pure democracy in the Thirteen Colonies. Paine writes from the perspective of an equal to his fellow American man, thus making him relatable from common folk to the wealthy merchants and upper classes. Paine shows the British tyranny over America as horrific and he wishes to expose British faults and impurities to inspire the colonists

Paine claims that “if a thief breaks into [his] house, burns and destroys [his] property, and kills or threatens to kill [him], or those that are in it, and to “bind [him] in all cases whatsoever,” to his absolute will, is [he] to suffer it?” Paine is clearly comparing Britain’s king to a thief because the king is depriving the colonists of their liberty. This analogy and rhetorical question affirms, once again, that colonists need to stand up against British rule because like with a thief, the people would not stand by and let Britain’s king commit a crime against them. Also, when Paine mentions that Britain would “bind him in all cases whatsoever,” he implies that under Britain’s rule they would be like slaves. Just like slaves are bonded to their masters, the colonists would be ultimately chained to British rule. Thus, the notion of becoming like slaves would evoke rage among the colonists and

Throughout Thomas Paine’s argument towards Britain and the effects of England’s monarchy on America. There are many times in which he talks about the constitutional monarchy at the time. Going in depth on his feelings towards the legislative principle of the constitutional monarchy in England. As well as, the type of legislative principles that he advocates for America. Including, the ways in which the continental congress differed from the constitutional monarchy in England.

He argues that a democratic system based on continual elections and rights of the people protected by a written constitution would be more beneficial to society. To strengthen the concept of democracy, Paine speaks of a hypothetical society brought up in an isolated part of the world, away from other inhabitants. This supposed society represented the first people. Thomas Paine claims that some of its people will have many accomplishments other will not; thus through hunger, disease, misfortune and death it is inevitable that the people will set up some form of government that “…will establish a common interest with every part of the community, they will mutually and naturally support each other, and on this (not on the unmeaning name of king) depends the strength of government, and the happiness of the governed” (Thomas Paine, Common Sense). This statement reassures his beliefs towards democracy while showing how pointless English rule is to society. Thomas Paine is attempting to promote American independence with this document by explaining the benefits of democracy, in doing so he is demeaning the English government. Paine emphasizes the prejudices the English may have had by stating, “And as a man, who is attached to a prostitute, is unfitted to choose

Thomas Paine, someone who was public about his dismay toward England and her tyrannical rule, made it clear that although he and the other citizens of England were oppressed, America was the prime example of mankind (Common Sense). Meaning that America’s mission toward freedom was what all of mankind was working towards, and that without England, they would have nothing to work

The tone in Thomas Paine's "American Crisis" pamphlet is one that is motivational and inspiring. In the pamphlet, Thomas Paine says "I should not be afraid to go with a hundred Whigs against a thousand Tories" (Paine). Thomas Paine is explaining that the Tories are afraid of freedom and want/need to be ruled and enslaved which is why they don't need to match their numbers to win. Paine also goes on to say "Every Tory is a coward; for servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism; and a man under such influence, though he may be cruel, never can be brave" (Paine). What Thomas Paine is trying to vocalize here is that the Tories are fighting for stagnation and not change.

Of all the founding fathers, Thomas Paine best represented the mind of the American people before and during the revolution. His pamphlet, Common Sense is a cornerstone of American literature, and the work that sparked the idea of revolution in so many colonial readers. Common Sense perfectly summarized the frustrations of the American people by analyzing government, freedom and the inevitable independence of the American colonies. The grievances brought to light in Paine’s pamphlet created a sense of solidarity throughout the American people, as well as a sense of solidarity amongst revolutionaries across the world. Consequently, Common Sense became a top seller in revolutionary France and is still the best selling American piece of all time. Another of Paine’s works, African Slavery in America, describes the evils of American Slavery-- a national issue of morality that would not boil over for nearly a century after the publication of Common Sense. Both of these works describe, in part, Paine’s vision of a well governed, independent, free American country. Paine’s vision of a free America was way ahead of his time, making him the quintessential revolutionary.

In 1791, Thomas Paine wrote the book Rights of Man, in which he expresses his thoughts on the unity of the American people. Walter Russell, however, claims America "has always been a division of man. There has always been the conqueror and conquered - the master and the slave - the ruler and the ruled - the oppressor and the oppressed. There has never been content nor unity. There has been only discontent and disunity". While in the United States there are people similar to Paine who strive for freedom and diversity, there are also those, as Walter Russell illustrates, who promote racism, violence, and disunity. Thomas Paine's viewpoint is mostly inaccurate because while there are times of peace, justice, and concord, there are far greater instances of oppression, privilege, and riots in America.

All over the world, people hear about and strive to live the “American Dream.” In 1791 Thomas Paine, an intellectual revolutionary, believed that America was a diverse country that was accommodating for its people. In his book “Rights of Man” he says that in America “the poor are not oppressed, the rich are not privileged… and their taxes are few.” None of these ideals are completely true in America today.

Thomas Paine’s characterization of America in his book Rights of Man describes American society which is different from today. While he effectively captured the diversity of America, he failed to describe how diversity separates citizens rather than bringing unity between them all.

In his pamphlet, Common Sense, Thomas Paine argues for American independence. As an experienced writer and an English decent, Paine was a perfect fit to kick-start public opinion on American Independence through his skill and personal grudge. With the use of well-constructed argument and support including, analogies, appeals, and scriptural evidence, Paine was able to present the argument; America should strive for its independence from England. America don’t need England’s assistance to be successful, they are only providing their assistance to America for their own good.

What would influence you to fight for American Independence? Would your family's’ views, your friend’s views, or the views of a political pamphlet influence you? In the beginning of the American Revolution, a man by the name of Thomas Paine wrote a political pamphlet that would influence many Americans to fight for independence from Britain. Thomas Pain used several ideas that include government is a necessary evil, America will eventually be independent, Britain will always oppress the American Colonies to influence the American People, and the importance of allies.

Thomas Paine, a revolutionary, intellectual, and supporter of American independence from England published a book titled, “Rights of Man” which deals with the government shielding the natural rights of its people. Initially, the book captures the diverse aspect of this nation, but it fails to reveal the struggles that arise to preserve and adapt to such a society. Paine expresses his optimism towards the supposed perfection of American society, as one “made up...of people from different nations,” with certain expectations. Additionally, the time gap between “Rights of Man” and modern America cannot be neglected. Paine wrote during an era in which “constructing a government on the principles of society and the rights of man” was the essential objective of the country. However, modern-day America experiences opposite ideals and Paine’s theory no longer remains true because of the educational gap between the rich and poor, terrorism, and racial profiling.

Thomas Paine was an English-American philosopher, political theorist, political activist, revolutionary, and one of Americas Founding Fathers. He was born on February 9, 1737 in Thetford, United Kingdom. His early life in England consisted of little education, other than reading, writing, and arithmetic, and numerous jobs such as stay maker, corset makers, and an officer. He never exceeded at any of these tasks. It was 1772 where he published his first political article pertaining to the higher pay excise officers should receive. After this, Paine moved to America where he went on to work for Pennsylvania Magazine and write several essays and pamphlets that influenced many Americans during the American Revolution. Some of his crucial pieces of work consist of African Slavery in America, Rights of a Man, The Age of Reason, and perhaps Paine’s

Thomas Paine’s characterization of America from his book, Rights of Man, does not completely hold true in today’s American society. His description of social class relationships as well as just government is currently not a reality for Americans. However, his description of diversity is something that we do have in America today.