Thomas Paine(1737-1809) Study Objectives: 1.To understand pamphlet as a political essay. 2.To appreciate the rhetorical and stylistic features of Thomas Paine's"The American Crisis". 3.To practice writing an essay on a political topic. Understanding the Author: COMMON SENSE; m…w2:2次 INHABITANTS A M E R I C A, 5 U B J B C T S. IL Of M-M 山2 Portrait by Laurent Dabos(c.1792) Common Sense,published in 1776 Signature: Thomas Paine was an influential English-American political activist,philosopher, political theorist,and the greatest pamphlet-writer during the American Revolutionary Period(1760-1790).The eighteenth century is considered as the Age of Reason or Enlightenment in Europe.As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States who fell under the influence of the Enlightenment spirit,Thomas Paine authored the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution,and he inspired the rebels in 1776 to declare independence from British rule.His ideas reflected the key Enlightenment doctrine of human rights. Thomas Paine was born in Thetford in the English county of Norfolk,in 1737
Thomas Paine (1737-1809) Study Objectives: 1. To understand pamphlet as a political essay. 2. To appreciate the rhetorical and stylistic features of Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis”. 3. To practice writing an essay on a political topic. Understanding the Author: Portrait by Laurent Dabos (c. 1792) Common Sense, published in 1776 Signature: Thomas Paine was an influential English-American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and the greatest pamphlet-writer during the American Revolutionary Period (1760-1790). The eighteenth century is considered as the Age of Reason or Enlightenment in Europe. As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States who fell under the influence of the Enlightenment spirit, Thomas Paine authored the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, and he inspired the rebels in 1776 to declare independence from British rule. His ideas reflected the key Enlightenment doctrine of human rights. Thomas Paine was born in Thetford in the English county of Norfolk, in 1737
the son of a Quaker father and an Anglican mother.By the age of thirty-seven,he had failed in everything he tried and was declared a bankrupt.With the help of Benjamin Franklin whom he met in London,Paine was persuaded to migrate to the British American colonies in 1774 with a letter of introduction from Franklin recommending him as"an ingenious worthy young man."He arrived in Philadelphia just in time to participate in the American Revolution and wrote for the recently established Pennsylvania Magazine and made his way quickly in that city,first as a spokesman against slavery and then as an anonymous author of Common Sense (1776),the first pamphlet published in America and the most widely read pamphlet of the American title at that time,which crystallized the rebellious and immediate demand for independence from Britain.Filled with the rhetoric of revolution,this booklet was written in a forceful style that the average colonial people could quickly understand.It also helped to create the national mood that inspired the Declaration of Independence six month later.Written in a direct and lively style,it was a clarion call for unity against the corrupt British court.Common Sense was so influential that John Adams remarked:"Without the pen of the author of Common Sense,the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain." Between 1776 and 1783,he issued a series of sixteen pro-revolutionary pamphlets, called the Crisis papers.Paine wrote "The American Crisis",the first Crisis pamphlet, at one of the darkest moments of the Revolution,a time when George Washington's army was in retreat and morale was low.General George Washington had it read aloud to inspire his soldiers in their battles.With the Battle of Trenton,on December 26,1776,American forces began to rally.This work offered encouragement to American patriots during the early years of the American Revolution (1775-83). Paine called upon soldiers and civilians to stand firm in the face of British tyranny and helped to turn the tide of the war. Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s,becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution.He wrote The Rights of Man(1791),a famous defense of the French Revolution against its critics.He also defended the overthrow of kings,and for this he was ordered by the British government to trial.In December 1793,he was arrested and was taken to Luxembourg Prison in Paris.While in prison,he continued to work on The Age of Reason (1793-94)in spite of the accusation of him for promoting reason and free thought.He was charged with atheism and became notorious because of his pamphlets.In 1802,he returned to the U.S.where his
the son of a Quaker father and an Anglican mother. By the age of thirty-seven, he had failed in everything he tried and was declared a bankrupt. With the help of Benjamin Franklin whom he met in London, Paine was persuaded to migrate to the British American colonies in 1774 with a letter of introduction from Franklin recommending him as “an ingenious worthy young man.” He arrived in Philadelphia just in time to participate in the American Revolution and wrote for the recently established Pennsylvania Magazine and made his way quickly in that city, first as a spokesman against slavery and then as an anonymous author of Common Sense (1776), the first pamphlet published in America and the most widely read pamphlet of the American title at that time, which crystallized the rebellious and immediate demand for independence from Britain. Filled with the rhetoric of revolution, this booklet was written in a forceful style that the average colonial people could quickly understand. It also helped to create the national mood that inspired the Declaration of Independence six month later. Written in a direct and lively style, it was a clarion call for unity against the corrupt British court. Common Sense was so influential that John Adams remarked: “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.” Between 1776 and 1783, he issued a series of sixteen pro-revolutionary pamphlets, called the Crisis papers. Paine wrote “The American Crisis”, the first Crisis pamphlet, at one of the darkest moments of the Revolution, a time when George Washington's army was in retreat and morale was low. General George Washington had it read aloud to inspire his soldiers in their battles. With the Battle of Trenton, on December 26, 1776, American forces began to rally. This work offered encouragement to American patriots during the early years of the American Revolution (1775–83). Paine called upon soldiers and civilians to stand firm in the face of British tyranny and helped to turn the tide of the war. Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. He wrote The Rights of Man (1791), a famous defense of the French Revolution against its critics. He also defended the overthrow of kings, and for this he was ordered by the British government to trial. In December 1793, he was arrested and was taken to Luxembourg Prison in Paris. While in prison, he continued to work on The Age of Reason (1793–94) in spite of the accusation of him for promoting reason and free thought. He was charged with atheism and became notorious because of his pamphlets. In 1802, he returned to the U.S. where his
reputation suffered enormously.When he died on June 8,1809,only six people attended his funeral as he had been socially ridiculed and despised for his attacks on Christianity.It was not until the end of the twentieth century that his place in American history and literature was restored. Thomas Paine was not a systematic philosopher but a man who felt and responded according to his own belief in justice,his strong opposition to tyranny and his impulses of clear conscience as well.As a most influential pamphleteer of his time, Paine's success comes from his convincing argument,from the force and passion of his pamphlets,and from the historical events that created a ready audience to listen to his words.And it is on his pamphlets,on especially Common Sense,that Thomas Paine's claim to the title"The Father of the American Revolution"rests. Understanding Pamphlet: Pamphlet is a special kind of essay,a tract concerning a contemporary issue or a product of heated arguments.A booklet without a hard cover or binding,it may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half,in thirds,or in fourths,called a leaflet,or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and saddle stapled at the crease to make a simple book. Although they can be found in use in various situations(medical,religious or marketing),pamphlets have long been an important tool of political protest and political campaigning.Due to their low cost and ease of production,they have often been used to popularize political or religious ideas. A pamphleteer is a historical term for someone who produces or distributes pamphlets. especially for a political cause.A pamphlet may often showcase the rhetorical devices and distinctive stylistic qualities of its author. Lead-in Questions: 1.What is the core value of the Enlightenment spirit? 2.Can you name some eighteenth-century European Enlightenment philosophers or thinkers who exerted great influence upon the American Founding Fathers? 3.Can you explain why pamphlets,rather than novels,plays or poems,became an effective tool for the revolutionary cause of America?
reputation suffered enormously. When he died on June 8, 1809, only six people attended his funeral as he had been socially ridiculed and despised for his attacks on Christianity. It was not until the end of the twentieth century that his place in American history and literature was restored. Thomas Paine was not a systematic philosopher but a man who felt and responded according to his own belief in justice, his strong opposition to tyranny and his impulses of clear conscience as well. As a most influential pamphleteer of his time, Paine’s success comes from his convincing argument, from the force and passion of his pamphlets, and from the historical events that created a ready audience to listen to his words. And it is on his pamphlets, on especially Common Sense, that Thomas Paine’s claim to the title “The Father of the American Revolution” rests. Understanding Pamphlet: Pamphlet is a special kind of essay, a tract concerning a contemporary issue or a product of heated arguments. A booklet without a hard cover or binding, it may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths, called a leaflet, or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and saddle stapled at the crease to make a simple book. Although they can be found in use in various situations (medical, religious or marketing), pamphlets have long been an important tool of political protest and political campaigning. Due to their low cost and ease of production, they have often been used to popularize political or religious ideas. A pamphleteer is a historical term for someone who produces or distributes pamphlets, especially for a political cause. A pamphlet may often showcase the rhetorical devices and distinctive stylistic qualities of its author. Lead-in Questions: 1. What is the core value of the Enlightenment spirit? 2. Can you name some eighteenth-century European Enlightenment philosophers or thinkers who exerted great influence upon the American Founding Fathers? 3. Can you explain why pamphlets, rather than novels, plays or poems, became an effective tool for the revolutionary cause of America?
The American Crisis Thomas Paine THESE are the times that try men's souls.The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,in this crisis,shrink from the service of their country;but he that stands it now,deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.Tyranny,like hell,is not easily conquered;yet we have this consolation with us,that the harder the conflict,the more glorious the triumph.What we obtain too cheap,we esteem too lightly:it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods;and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.Britain,with an army to enforce her tyranny,has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX)but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,"and if being bound in that manner,is not slavery,then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth.Even the expression is impious;for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon,or delayed too long,I will not now enter into as an argument;my own simple opinion is,that had it been eight months earlier,it would have been much better.We did not make a proper use of last winter,neither could we,while we were in a dependent state.However,the fault,if it were one,was all our own*;we have none to blame but ourselves.But no great deal is lost yet.All that Howe has been doing for this month past,is rather a ravage than a conquest,which the spirit of the Jerseys,a year ago,would have quickly repulsed,and which time and a little resolution will soon recover. The present winter is worth an age,if rightly employed;but,if lost or neglected, the whole continent will partake of the evil;and there is no punishment that man does not deserve,be he who,or what,or where he will,that may be the means of sacrificing a season so precious and useful. I have as little superstition in me as any man living,but my secret opinion has ever been,and still is,that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction,or leave them unsupportedly to perish,who have so earnestly and so
The American Crisis Thomas Paine THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependent state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own*; we have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet. All that Howe has been doing for this month past, is rather a ravage than a conquest, which the spirit of the Jerseys, a year ago, would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover. * The present winter is worth an age, if rightly employed; but, if lost or neglected, the whole continent will partake of the evil; and there is no punishment that man does not deserve, be he who, or what, or where he will, that may be the means of sacrificing a season so precious and useful. I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so
repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war,by every decent method which wisdom could invent.Neither have I so much of the infidel in me,as to suppose that He has relinquished the government of the world,and given us up to the care of devils: and as I do not,I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us:a common murderer,a highwayman,or a house-breaker, has as good a pretence as he. 'Tis surprising to see how rapidly a panic will sometimes run through a country. All nations and ages have been subject to them.Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats;and in the fourteenth [fifteenth] century the whole English army,after ravaging the kingdom of France,was driven back like men petrified with fear;and this brave exploit was performed by a few broken forces collected and headed by a woman,Joan of Arc.Would that heaven might inspire some Jersey maid to spirit up her countrymen,and save her fair fellow sufferers from ravage and ravishment!Yet panics,in some cases,have their uses;they produce as much good as hurt.Their duration is always short;the mind soon grows through them,and acquires a firmer habit than before.But their peculiar advantage is, that they are the touchstones of sincerity and hypocrisy,and bring things and men to light,which might otherwise have lain forever undiscovered.In fact,they have the same effect on secret traitors,which an imaginary apparition would have upon a private murderer.They sift out the hidden thoughts of man,and hold them up in public to the world.Many a disguised Tory has lately shown his head,that shall penitentially solemnize with curses the day on which Howe arrived upon the Delaware. As I was with the troops at Fort Lee,and marched with them to the edge of Pennsylvania,I am well acquainted with many circumstances,which those who live at a distance know but little or nothing of.Our situation there was exceedingly cramped, the place being a narrow neck of land between the North River and the Hackensack Our force was inconsiderable,being not one-fourth so great as Howe could bring against us.We had no army at hand to have relieved the garrison,had we shut ourselves up and stood on our defence.Our ammunition,light artillery,and the best part of our stores,had been removed,on the apprehension that Howe would endeavor to penetrate the Jerseys,in which case Fort Lee could be of no use to us;for it must occur to every thinking man,whether in the army or not,that these kind of field forts are only for temporary purposes,and last in use no longer than the enemy directs his
repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose that He has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a house-breaker, has as good a pretence as he. 'Tis surprising to see how rapidly a panic will sometimes run through a country. All nations and ages have been subject to them. Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats; and in the fourteenth [fifteenth] century the whole English army, after ravaging the kingdom of France, was driven back like men petrified with fear; and this brave exploit was performed by a few broken forces collected and headed by a woman, Joan of Arc. Would that heaven might inspire some Jersey maid to spirit up her countrymen, and save her fair fellow sufferers from ravage and ravishment! Yet panics, in some cases, have their uses; they produce as much good as hurt. Their duration is always short; the mind soon grows through them, and acquires a firmer habit than before. But their peculiar advantage is, that they are the touchstones of sincerity and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might otherwise have lain forever undiscovered. In fact, they have the same effect on secret traitors, which an imaginary apparition would have upon a private murderer. They sift out the hidden thoughts of man, and hold them up in public to the world. Many a disguised Tory has lately shown his head, that shall penitentially solemnize with curses the day on which Howe arrived upon the Delaware. As I was with the troops at Fort Lee, and marched with them to the edge of Pennsylvania, I am well acquainted with many circumstances, which those who live at a distance know but little or nothing of. Our situation there was exceedingly cramped, the place being a narrow neck of land between the North River and the Hackensack. Our force was inconsiderable, being not one-fourth so great as Howe could bring against us. We had no army at hand to have relieved the garrison, had we shut ourselves up and stood on our defence. Our ammunition, light artillery, and the best part of our stores, had been removed, on the apprehension that Howe would endeavor to penetrate the Jerseys, in which case Fort Lee could be of no use to us; for it must occur to every thinking man, whether in the army or not, that these kind of field forts are only for temporary purposes, and last in use no longer than the enemy directs his