1. What is the author arguing?
Thomas Paine
is arguing that the rule of England’s
regality is a fallacy, is easily corruptible, and needs to be replaced with a
republican government for the good of American inhabitants.
2. How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional
quality), and ethos (the writer’s
perceived character) with their argument?
Thomas Paine
appeals to logos with his statements “Why should one man, by accident of birth,
claim extensive power over others” and “A king might be foolish or wicked”. This
logic helped create our nation’s government, a system that is made for the
people and by the people. This way we all have a fair say in the matters of
state and country and we are not bound by the law’s of a line of blood but by a
bond of liberty.
His appeal to
pathos resides in his avid fervor for republican government to replace the
monarchy. He believed that “Rulers” were only representatives of the people and
to make sure that our rulers are people we as a people believe in, he wanted
the government to rely on constant elections to create the most fulfilling
democracy. He believes in free government, liberty, and urges others to follow
suit.
His appeal to
ethos is in his writing style. His words are chosen carefully and are pinpoint
precise in delivering his message. His character is poise, intellectual, and
serious but also comical. In his statement “… an ass for a lion” he insulted
the British King directly for all to hear, something many Americans wanted to
do at the time.
3. What is the historical
significance/relevance of this document?
This document
was a major start for American Independence. It lead to many people challenging
the crown and by the document’s informative and by its slightly comical nature,
it spread its influence like a wildfire, to many a man, woman, and child.
4. Do you find the author’s argument
convincing? Why or why not?
I find Thomas Paine’s argument very convincing because we
should be allowed to control and rectify our problems, and nobody should have
the power handed to them because of family blood or creed. His argument was for
a government for the people and by the people and that we should be able to
govern ourselves and no one man would have absolute power over the populace.
This was to stop the tyranny, corruption, and overall apathy the American
settlers had to endure from England’s
rule. In the end everybody should have a voice and that is what Thomas Paine
was fighting for, and this is why I agree with him.
