Wednesday, February 10, 2010
5.5 ~ Paine
Paine did a remarkable job in defining America. He had a realistic idea of what it was to be completely independent from outside sources. He was brutally honest about what it would really mean to be truly independent from Brittan. Paine did not sugar-coat the fact that being independent would be hard work and he had the belief that every individual had the power and was capable of doing what it takes. Paine advised that we could live off our own land and use our own goods in order to survive. The fact that Paine used language that a majority of the people he was speaking to was even more powerful and influential. He used the “cause of all mankind” as a persuasive statement which allowed him to voice what was already on everybody’s minds. Paine also defined America by using the words “industrious” and “capable” giving the power over to every individual. He empowered people. Paine was very aware of the opportunity that was presented to America by cutting off connection to Great Britain and that we would be more powerful without them than keeping a connection to them. He no longer wanted to be dependent upon them for anything and truly understood what it was to be independent. Not only did he define America; he defined what it would mean to be independent.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree with you idea that “he no longer wanted to be dependent upon them for anything and truly understood what it was to be independent.” In fact, Thomas Paine’s spirit of independence still seems to be alive in the United States. He might have known how to use the power of language to move people to action. Paine enlisted himself in the American army to fight for freedom, and tried to amplify his voice through both the words and the actions. I think that he deserves to be widely recognized as an important historical figure by American people.
ReplyDeleteBeth great blog, Paine did help define America with his publication of “Common Sense.” A quick side note, he had 500,000 copies of Common Sense published which meant that he was reaching out for the support of the individuals. I agree that Paine “did not sugar-coat the fact that being independent would be hard work” he portrayed his honesty and loyalty through his ink. I also like your ending statement “he defined what it would mean to be independent.” Paine truly did define what it would be like to be independent out of the grasp of Great Britain.
ReplyDeleteI like that you brought up Thomas Paine was brutally honest and didn't sugarcoat anything he said. I think part of what made Common Sense so popular was that it was straightforward and to the point. I agree with your idea that he empowered people with his writing. It must have great inspiration for the colonists when he wrote that their cause was "the cause of mankind". I have to agree with Jared that your last sentence was great, "Not only did he define America; he defined what it would mean to be independent." Throughout Common Sense he brought up what would make America great once it was independent of Britain.
ReplyDeleteEven though I do have my opinion I still have to agree with what you have to say, I believe it makes him a stronger person by not making it seem like becoming Independent would be easy, because it is not easy. This also shows how much of a non quitter he is and how strong and hard willed he is in achieving something even if it is tough. It was also powerful of him to speak to everyone as being a whole and to have so much belief in everyone that they can achieve on their own and without Britain’s help.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Paine did a great job at defining America. I like what you said about how he knew it wouldn't be easy. I have overlooked how he knew that. That's an important thing to realize today because so many poeple think being a leader is easy and getting the results they want should be quick and easy. As a leader in defining America he did a great job of informing the average person of what needed to be done and why.
ReplyDelete