Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Analytical paper on Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Adriana Gonzales
Samuel D. Farris
HIST 2313.22
March 21,2013
“Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one…” (Common Sense, 3). This quote, from the opening of Common Sense, basically states what was on Thomas Paine’s mind during the uprising of the revolution. Common Sense played a huge part in the start of the Revolutionary War but raised a few questions such as: How did Thomas Paine’s background influence his ideas? Does it matter that he was new to the colonies when he had written his arguments? Why de he think it was best for America to break away from Britain? What were some weaknesses in his arguments? What arguments can go against the colonies? Thomas Paine was born in England in January 29, 1737 to a Quaker father and an Anglican mother. He received little education and left grammar school at the age of thirteen for a three-year apprenticeship in his father’s shop as a corset maker (Thomas Paine, 1). He then established a business in his trade and married. His wife died within a few months, and he took on a job like his father-in-law as an officer of the excise. This occupation was a poorly paid occupation (Aldridge, 15-16). It seems as Paine attained Quaker habits in “rejecting accepted ways and opinions” (Aldridge, 13). Particularly, there was even one point in time where Paine had fought to see if the Parliament will consider increasing the pay raise. He wrote out pamphlets named The Case of the Officer of Excise and handed out 4,000 copies to members of the parliament and other citizens of Britain. Paine was then dismissed from the excise office in the spring of 1774. He then meets Benjamin Franklin, who suggested him to leave from Britain and head to the colonies. He also bestowed him information of the foundation of the colonies preparing to unite (Thomas Paine, 1). It is not significant that an
Adriana Gonzales
Samuel D. Farris
HIST 2313.22
March 21,2013
“Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one…” (Common Sense, 3). This quote, from the opening of Common Sense, basically states what was on Thomas Paine’s mind during the uprising of the revolution. Common Sense played a huge part in the start of the Revolutionary War but raised a few questions such as: How did Thomas Paine’s background influence his ideas? Does it matter that he was new to the colonies when he had written his arguments? Why de he think it was best for America to break away from Britain? What were some weaknesses in his arguments? What arguments can go against the colonies? Thomas Paine was born in England in January 29, 1737 to a Quaker father and an Anglican mother. He received little education and left grammar school at the age of thirteen for a three-year apprenticeship in his father’s shop as a corset maker (Thomas Paine, 1). He then established a business in his trade and married. His wife died within a few months, and he took on a job like his father-in-law as an officer of the excise. This occupation was a poorly paid occupation (Aldridge, 15-16). It seems as Paine attained Quaker habits in “rejecting accepted ways and opinions” (Aldridge, 13). Particularly, there was even one point in time where Paine had fought to see if the Parliament will consider increasing the pay raise. He wrote out pamphlets named The Case of the Officer of Excise and handed out 4,000 copies to members of the parliament and other citizens of Britain. Paine was then dismissed from the excise office in the spring of 1774. He then meets Benjamin Franklin, who suggested him to leave from Britain and head to the colonies. He also bestowed him information of the foundation of the colonies preparing to unite (Thomas Paine, 1). It is not significant that an
Bibliography: Aldridge, Alfred Owen. Man of Reason, the Life of Thomas Paine. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1959. Print. Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. Mineola: Dover Publications, 1997. "Thomas Paine." 2013. The Biography Channel. Mar 16 2013 <http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-paine-9431951>.