Text Analysis: Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

--Who is writing?

I believe the writer is Thomas Paine because it’s titled Thomas Paine (1737-1809). Common Sense. 1776.

--Who is the audience?

The audience in this document is the reader, as Thomas Paine establishes in his text. For example Paine uses He, Himself, and His to distinguish that he is not talking about himself but rather about the reader/ audience.

--Who do the writers represent?

The writer represents American Independence in my mind because Thomas Paine argued for American Independence. He represents Common Sense, in society and government. His knowledge of both is outstanding. He thinks of society in a good way and believes that the government is equivalent to “Evil.” I believe that Thomas Paine represents himself, his knowledge, and the American people.

--What is being said, argued and/or requested?

It is being said that Thomas Paine agrees with society opposed to government. Paine talks about how society is based on people getting together to make good things happen, as a team. Then he talks about the government and how it’s evil and only focuses on protecting things such as life and property, but why is it just based on that. I think that the government focuses too much on “status,” meaning how the government is doing, how the government can be better in terms of money. That is all I get out of what the government is; they are all about the money, the government could care less about the people in reality.

--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?

This document is really straight forward in terms of common sense; Thomas Paine argues that the British are basically idiots because their system of government says one thing and does another. The British in Paine’s eyes is thought of as liars and untrustworthy. Paine is against British Monarchy.

--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?

The proof and/or justification in this document comes all from Thomas Paine; he spoke of the British Monarchy and how it was unjust and untrustworthy. Common sense was enough to prove his points to the American people.