The Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine in the winter of 1776-1777 to be read and distributed throughout the colonies. Published anonymously on January 10, 1776, it is a powerful argument against British rule and for independence.
In this essay, Paine points out that it is the people's right to never be overruled in their decisions by a monarch or other hereditary figure. He also argues that the colonies should not have to pay Britain for its protection and concurs with John Locke's arguments on natural rights.
Paine also describes how America will be self-governing and prosperous if it becomes independent from Britain.
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in order to argue for the American Revolution and to persuade the American Colonies against George III.
The document is a call to independence from British rule. Common Sense promotes republicanism as a form of self governance, and argues that individual freedom cannot be obtained under any other form of government.
Introduction
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" is the most famous and influential American pamphlet, as it persuaded many people to support independence from Great Britain, including George Washington.
The pamphlet was written during the American Revolution in 1776 and in it, Paine not only argued for American Independence but also against monarchy and aristocracy. With such a strong argument, Paine convinced many people to support independence from Great Britain. Later on, after the Revolutionary War ended with victory for America, Thomas Jefferson was appointed as the country's first Secretary of State. He would later write the Declaration of Independence which essentially expanded on what Paine had written in his Common Sense.
Common Sense: Summary
The summary of Common Sense is about the ills of monarchy and how the British are a great example.
In Common Sense, Thomas Paine argues that government should be based on reason and not divine rights. He advocates for a republic as opposed to a monarchy. He also makes it clear that he believes people should have the right to overthrow their government if they are dissatisfied with it.
Common Sense: Literary Analysis
Common sense is the ability to reason without the guidance of logical thinking. It is a concept that is difficult to define, and seems to be able to be interpreted in many different ways by different people.
Defining common sense can be very difficult, as it differs from person to person and can never really be quantified. The definition of common sense changes depending on who you ask. Some say that common sense is about being logical, while others say it's about being wise or sensible.
Sophie Quinton (2018) defines it as “the knowledge and experience gained through living in society". With this definition, we might then conclude that the meaning of common sense varies depending on what society you live in - what is considered "common" might differ between societies depending on what is considered "common."
Conclusion
Thomas Paine is one of the most influential thinkers of the 18th Century. He was a major contributor to the American Revolution and his works have been admired around the world.
He wrote Common Sense which influenced citizens to join their cause and take part in the war. Common Sense is more than a book with political thoughts, ideas or analysis on what should be done in America at that point in time. It is a call-to-action for America to stand up for its rights and fight for its freedom from Britain, led by King George III.
Paine’s conclusion emphasizes the importance of not disregarding common sense and to “keep it alive” in order to make sound decisions. For this reason, the conclusion is very important to the overall meaning of Common Sense.
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