Common Sense Rhetorical Analysis

Common Sense was a revolutionary piece of work that influenced the attitudes of American colonists and encouraged a resistance against the unlawful behavior of the British Government. The pamphlet garnered the support from the average citizen by breaking down the complexities of the British-American ties and implanted the idea that severance was the only viable solution. Thomas Paine, the writer behind Common Sense, carefully dissected the faults of the Royal Crown to address the ludicrousness of their monarchy governance.
Prior to Common Sense, American colonists were greatly divided. However, proponents supporting independence was steadily rising. To further encourage Americans to join the patriotic movement, influential figures such as John

Published propaganda intensified the demand for change, but the motion to sever ties with Britain wasn’t popular. Thomas Paine’s pamphlet was a solution to sway colonists and justify the necessity of independence. In Common Sense, Thomas Paine articulates the illegitimacy of the British government. Particularly, Paine focuses on dismissing the idea of hereditary succession while arguing for equality of man. He asserts that as a whole, the colonies have the ability to succeed without attachment to Britain, and this is the time to fight the royal force. Paine’s argument perfectly captures the betrayal felt amongst the colonists and appeals to his audience. To reinforce his reasoning on separation, Paine uses various analogies and examples to exaggerate his comparisons. For example, in the opening line of the pamphlet, Paine declares “Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness” (47, Larkin). He distinctly outlines the purpose of government to protect the people and uses an example of individuals settling on land unconnected from the rest of the world. Paine reasons that the men must impose

Paine believed that separation would allow for the colonies to strongly govern themselves with an additional national government. In Common Sense, Paine reiterates the sole purpose of the government is to protect the liberty and freedom of citizens. When the relationship between religion and politics is brought into question, Thomas Paine has a firm opinion that the separation of religion and politics is necessary. At the time, in Britain, the church and state were greatly entwined and any opposition lead to religious persecution. Paine believed this was a denial of basic human rights and freedom. Therefore, while asserting his views for the future government, Paine states, “As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith” (82-83, Larkin). Paine indicates that government should be held on the basis of fact, reason, and law. Religion should play no part in the decision to govern, rather it should be a protected right of the