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Thomas Paine Common Good Essay

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Thomas Paine Common Good Essay
Common Sense for the Common Good “Man knows no Master save creating HEAVEN, /Or those whom Choice and common Good ordain” (Paine 1). Preceding the first lines of his introduction, Thomas Paine utilizes this quote from James Thompson to set the mood and express the understated meaning of his ground-breaking pamphlet, Common Sense. Published in 1776 during a time of heated tension between Colonial America and Great Britain, Common Sense became an influential force from which the ideologies of the American Revolution manifested. Addressing forthright the issues of the English monarchy and its control on the rights of American colonists, Paine managed to persuade the debating minds of 18th century pioneers to strive for independence. Upon further …show more content…
Paine refutes this by declaring that America has flourished with its own market on its own resources. Later on, Paine even goes as far to say that America is being held back by Great Britain; that the English king seeks to keep America small so that they might never rise to prominence and shake off his rule. Those who object to independence because of Britain’s title of the “mother country,” Paine counters their logic with the fact that Great Britain had waged violence over their own colonies ***addmore By publicly debunking the opposition of the royal supporters, Paine reveals the serious consideration he put forth into the idea of the common good and what the colonies needed to do in order to accomplish it. Despite all the arguments in separation from Great Britain, Paine still found it necessary to call for America’s removal. Readers can identify Paine’s perspective on the big picture of the common good for America. Paine sees the long-term benefits of facing the wrath of England now to reap the benefits of an independent nation later. This can lead readers to think that Paine’s idea of the common good was something that had to be worked for. It was not just a way of thinking about life and the decisions that one makes; it was a goal that required hard work and sacrifice. Paine was ready to defend the common good in America and he was eager to shoot

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