Rhetorical Analysis of Paine’s Common Sense

Finally, it is important to note another logical approach that Thomas Paine uses to articulate his point. While the majority of his pamphlet discusses the wrongs done to America by England, there is a brief section where he calls on his countryman to reflect upon themselves in order to see the wrongs done by the mother country. He asks bold questions of his fellow patriot, “…hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor?” (331). Paine asks these harsh questions in order to fuel any lingering resentment that Americans may feel towards the British, in the hopes of sparking a full-out rebellion. Furthermore, after these questions are asked, Paine points out, “If you have not, then you are not a judge of those who have. But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then are you unworthy the name of husband, father, friend, or lover, and whatever may be your rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant,” (331). With these defining words, Thomas Paine strikes fear into those Americans who do not support the revolution. Paine resorts to name calling when he refers to the British as “murderers” and all their supporters as “cowards” and “sycophants.” This attempt is logical in the sense that Paine asks his audience to step back and look at themselves. It is this self-reflecting approach that he uses in order to further capture his audience. Likewise, Paine understands that none of his readers hope to be called a coward or sycophant, and will most likely do anything to change that image of themselves.

Through various logical appeals, Thomas Paine calls upon his country to continue to take up arms and cut all ties with England once and for all. He uses his rebellious nature, his understanding of the American people, and moral reasoning in order to get through to his countrymen. Although Common Sense was a small pamphlet, the impact it had on the war was magnanimous. Through Paine’s logic, he is able to turn this political propaganda into one of the most influential pieces of American prose.

Works Cited

Baym, Nina. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th ed. Vol. 1. New York:    W. W. Norton and Company, 2008. 326-332.