Many writers have written books that talk about historical factors that transpired during their lives. They aimed to tell the stories from their points of view as they purposed to let the people who led them relate to their thoughts. Thomas Paine is one historical writer who penned various books during the American and French revolution. Thomas Paine was born in England and lived between the years 1737 and 1803. He was a political figure who took part in different events such as the French and the American Revolution. Similarly, Paine was a philosopher who aimed to help other political, historical and philosophical leaders see reason in whatever they did. Aside from the ‘Common sense,’ Paine also wrote other books such as ‘Agrarian Justice’ and the ‘Age Of Reason.’ He also contributed in writing the ‘crisis paper’ that detailed some of the reasons why colonialists could allow America to be independent. His literary work is usually compared with that of Thomas Jefferson because they were political figures who advocated for independence and freedom of America. This paper is an analysis of Paine’s book, ‘Common Sense’ and provides the findings from a scholarly point of view.
It is clear from reading the book that Paine’s choice of writing style is easy to read and understand. Reading the book reveals that Paine was not just writing for the sake of developing a book but his major aim was to communicate to the people. Therefore, he chose a writing style that was easy to read and understand. In fact, any person with adequate literary skills is able to read and understand the text written by Paine. On the same note, he decided to use simple language that everyone could read. Instead of relying on using hard vocabulary that would have been hard to understand, Paine decided to choose simple words that every person would read and understand.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Similarly, Paine decided to communicate with his audience instead of narrating a story, his main aim was to illustrate the factors that he thought were negatively affecting the people (Paine 1776) . He used reason and persuasions to appeal to the colonialists to let America be independent. Instead of using metaphors that no one could understand, he decided to use straight forwards language. He also aimed to make bold statements that aimed to speak authoritatively to the people he was addressing. For example, he stated that the course of America was as important as the course of any country.
Moreover, Thomas Paine’s writing followed a given genre of writing. For example, he decided to use a historical perspective in his writing . The book also illustrates Paine’s philosophy on freedom, democracy, and the need for British colonials to set America free. In his writing, Paine aimed to appeal to the British colonials that it was time they let Americans to be free from their rule and ideologies. Moreover, Paine believed that every country deserves to be free from the bondage imposed on them in the name of colonialism (Paine, 1776) . He made all his arguments loud and clear and stated to his audience that all his arguments come from philosophical arguments that he says originate from pure reasoning and common sense. He aimed to appeal to the colonials to use their common sense to see that Americans deserved to be free. The use of common sense is also evident in not only in the title of the book but also in his arguments. He also aimed to make his readers believe that any person who took another person hostage did not make use of his or her common sense.
Every writer composes their book by referring to a given type of setting. Therefore , ‘ Common sense’ shows that Paine wrote his book at the time when major historical activities were taking place (Paine 1776) . The setting of the book is based on the French and American revolutions. It is clear that ‘Common sense’ was written at a time when American were busy fighting for independent while the French were also going a tough time in their country. This shows that the book was written when both French and Americans were making history in their nations.
Moreover, the Paine also wrote ‘Common Sense’ to illustrate how various political figures took advantages of other nations. The historical time and setting of the book also aimed to reveal how various nations were undergoing various struggles. The setting of the book also aimed to show modern readers that many nations both developed and developing underwent various political difficulties for them to get where they are today (Paine 1776) . The only difference on the countries is on how their leaders championed independence, growth and developments within their territories. Moreover, the historical setting and background of the book also shows how political leaders in the century had to content with unfair and unjust situations to protect their nations and the citizens.
The narrator’s point of view in the book ‘Common Sense’ also indicates how he perceives the era in which the book was written. For example, the author aims to indicate that the historical time when the book was written was marred with lack of ability to use common sense to provide value and justice to the people in various nations (Paine 1776) . On the same note, Paine aims to illustrate that he leaders during the era took part in promoting social and national injustices. He does not believe in one nation colonising another as well as imposing their ways of life upon the colonized country.
Moreover, Paine sees this era as one that lacked the sense of human freedom and philosophical understanding of human rights (Paine 1776) . The narrator is also quick and to the point and states his points without mincing his words. He also aimed to show readers that he believed that all the leaders who decided to colonize other nations lacked the necessary reasoning capacity and the common sense to enable them know that they actions were wrong and inhuman to the people they have colonised.
Moreover, Paine also used some statement that stood in place of symbolism and allegory in his writing. For example, the use of the word ‘common sense’ in the book was not symbolic but was utilized to prove the point that the writer believed that the British leaders literally lacked the common sense to see that their actions were wrong (Paine 1776) . Similarly, Paine also referred to the use of constitution not to symbolize any event but to pass the information that it was time the country because independent and self governed.
Common Sense is a book that was written by Thomas Paine, an English historian and philosopher who took part in the American and French revolutions. He used simple language that was easy to understand in his book. He also aimed to communicate directly to his audience in a clear and consider manner. Moreover, Paine aimed to rely on his philosophical and historical belief in freedom, democracy, and self governance. On the same note, he aimed to show that the leaders who decide to colonise American lacked common sense and effective understanding of fundamental human rights. He also believed that America has the rights to be free and achieve self independence. As such it would be right for Britons to step down and allow Americans to take over leadership of their country.
Reference
Paine, T. (1776). The readings of Thomas Paine. Cambridge, CA: Harvard university Press.
