Liv Hurley
Mr. Walters English III 11.25.14 Common Sense “Common Sense” lacks a sentimental theme or an emotional connotation. Thomas Paine uses cerebral language when addressing his thoughts on America’s independence. The use of logos is prominent throughout the text; the sentences are simple and unambiguous. He expresses the urgency his country needs to take action against the British. Paine reaches out to the common men of America, the people who could possibly create independence for their country when forming with one another. Paine begins his writing by illustrating the real meaning behind Britain’s interest in America. He uses metaphors to counterargue with the dispute going on between the American colonists: “We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that is it never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty” (2). Paine talks in a contradictory tone, opposing his neighbors’ opinions on the war, possibly changing their minds on their country’s future. Paine then uses more metaphors: “The more shame upon [England’s] conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families”(3) along with inductive reasoning: “This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and rebellious liberty from [...] England. Hither, they have fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster.”(3) and comparison: “It is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still”(3). All of which attack England from the viewpoint of an angry American colonist wishing to be free from their control. Finally, Paine uses deductive reasoning to counterargue a point made by other Americans. He has been told England owns America because they are so many of English descent in the States. But by that logic, France would own England, for half of England is of French descent. Pathos and Ethos is then used as an argument against supporters of England: “If you have not [been hurt by England] then are you 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 coward” (6). He threatens virtue credibility and emotions by challenging ethical standards of the colonists. Thomas Paine wrote this influential pamphlet to express his views on America’s possible future. His goal was to bring facts about why disbanding from England and becoming one, autonomous nation, was the best idea these colonists could make for their own country.
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Liv Hurley
Mr. Walters
AP English/III
10.15.14
The Crucible
In the town of Salem, Massachusetts, devotion to God is an obligation not taken lightly. Miller suggests the severity of their creed is the cause of the Salem Witch Trials and indicates the self contradictory ways of their behavior is caused by acting arrogantly towards one another. The author then continues to illustrate the paradox of their self destructive behavior by breaking apart their once tight knit community. But the wedge in their society grew deeper with the fondness of meddling in other people’s business. Between their arrogance along their intense worship of God and the minding of other people’s business, the hysteria of Salem grew.
Miller acknowledges the: “parochial snobbery”(5) of the citizens of Salem, and their belief that they were the epitome of religious archetypes. This severe way of thinking drove apart their society while the initial intention was to create a loving clan. Miller implies Salem’s personification of the perfect sect and their endeavour to be unconditionally devoted to God prevented them from unnecessary joy, and rather, spent their time studying their prayers. Miller suggests their excessive immersion is a leading cause of the Salem Witch Trials.
Miller narrates a major flaw in the social system of Salem. He reports the actions and pastimes of the local community: “The predilection for minding other people’s business was time-honored among the people of Salem”(5). He then goes on to tell it created more hysteria that fed into the trials. Miller indicates that privacy was no longer an option; the more secrecy about a person, the more likely they were to be accused of witchcraft. The rationalization and nonchalance of accusations became dangerous: “One could cy witch against one’s neighbor and feel perfectly justified in the bargain”(7).
This passage illustrates Miller’s perspective on the roots of the Salem Witch Trials. The extreme ways expressed by Miller, now regarded as unusual and bizarre, shaped the community locally and nationally. Religion had the most influential piece to this deadly series of events, killing over 200 people. Miller had first hand experience to what lead up to these trials and witnessed the formation of these horrible incidents, giving insight to the real lethal occurrences.
Mr. Walters
AP English/III
10.15.14
The Crucible
In the town of Salem, Massachusetts, devotion to God is an obligation not taken lightly. Miller suggests the severity of their creed is the cause of the Salem Witch Trials and indicates the self contradictory ways of their behavior is caused by acting arrogantly towards one another. The author then continues to illustrate the paradox of their self destructive behavior by breaking apart their once tight knit community. But the wedge in their society grew deeper with the fondness of meddling in other people’s business. Between their arrogance along their intense worship of God and the minding of other people’s business, the hysteria of Salem grew.
Miller acknowledges the: “parochial snobbery”(5) of the citizens of Salem, and their belief that they were the epitome of religious archetypes. This severe way of thinking drove apart their society while the initial intention was to create a loving clan. Miller implies Salem’s personification of the perfect sect and their endeavour to be unconditionally devoted to God prevented them from unnecessary joy, and rather, spent their time studying their prayers. Miller suggests their excessive immersion is a leading cause of the Salem Witch Trials.
Miller narrates a major flaw in the social system of Salem. He reports the actions and pastimes of the local community: “The predilection for minding other people’s business was time-honored among the people of Salem”(5). He then goes on to tell it created more hysteria that fed into the trials. Miller indicates that privacy was no longer an option; the more secrecy about a person, the more likely they were to be accused of witchcraft. The rationalization and nonchalance of accusations became dangerous: “One could cy witch against one’s neighbor and feel perfectly justified in the bargain”(7).
This passage illustrates Miller’s perspective on the roots of the Salem Witch Trials. The extreme ways expressed by Miller, now regarded as unusual and bizarre, shaped the community locally and nationally. Religion had the most influential piece to this deadly series of events, killing over 200 people. Miller had first hand experience to what lead up to these trials and witnessed the formation of these horrible incidents, giving insight to the real lethal occurrences.
Cotton Mather's Diary | |
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Plato vs. Edward Analysis | |
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