Thomas Paine Common Sense Analysis
The historical documents of the eighteenth century are examples of the literary movement of Neo-Classicism and its characteristics which are evidenced in this century’s writer's’ works. These characteristics are sometimes found in abundant quantities or limited amounts in each of this period’s documents: logic / reason, symmetry / balance, and lucidity / clarity. Each document of this historical period was influenced by the Neoclassical characteristics which were considered significant in the rhetorical and compositional expression of that age. So, too, did each of the writers’ documents present a unique study about the author’s intentions for his creating his work. In Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense, the author's idea of personal equality,
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These two characteristics appeal more to the physical writing of the documents and appeal less to the meaning of the documents. Often times writers will make use of allusions and metaphors to bring light to an idea that may seem complex or somewhat confusing. Biblical allusions were often used because many people of the Enlightenment era were familiar with characters and stories from the Bible. Thomas Paine frequently used allusions to the Bible, and in Common Sense he alluded to Jesus Christ by writing, “Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do.” People in the colonies knew how Paine’s allusion showed similarity to a popular Bible story (Fredriksen 187). Paine used a common theme for his metaphors throughout Common Sense. He made a connection between the colonies and a child. Although the colonies were young, they would transform like a child transforms into an adolescent and become independent. Paine used these literary devices to help the common man understand his ideas so that more people can support his plans. Looking beyond the elements of Neoclassicism, Thomas Paine’s document Common Sense provided an interesting look at the Revolutionary spirit of the colonists and how he attempted to motivate them to take action against the
These two characteristics appeal more to the physical writing of the documents and appeal less to the meaning of the documents. Often times writers will make use of allusions and metaphors to bring light to an idea that may seem complex or somewhat confusing. Biblical allusions were often used because many people of the Enlightenment era were familiar with characters and stories from the Bible. Thomas Paine frequently used allusions to the Bible, and in Common Sense he alluded to Jesus Christ by writing, “Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do.” People in the colonies knew how Paine’s allusion showed similarity to a popular Bible story (Fredriksen 187). Paine used a common theme for his metaphors throughout Common Sense. He made a connection between the colonies and a child. Although the colonies were young, they would transform like a child transforms into an adolescent and become independent. Paine used these literary devices to help the common man understand his ideas so that more people can support his plans. Looking beyond the elements of Neoclassicism, Thomas Paine’s document Common Sense provided an interesting look at the Revolutionary spirit of the colonists and how he attempted to motivate them to take action against the