Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Guiding Question
What are the main ideas of
Thomas Paine’s Common
Sense?
1 I have heard it asserted by some, that as America has flourished under
her former connection with Great Britain, the same connection is
necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same
effect. Nothing can be more fallacious than this kind of argument.
fallacious: false
Excerpt #1
What synonym could you use in place of the word flourish? _____________________________________________ What are the two places Paine is writing about? ____________________________ and _________________________ Paine refers to an argument made by “some.” What is the argument? What word or phrase lets you know that Paine doesn’t agree with the argument? 2 We have boasted the protection of Great Britain without considering that her motive
was interest, not attachment; and that she did not protect us from our enemies on
our account, but from her enemies on her account….
Excerpt #2 Highlight what Paine thinks Great Britain’s motivation was for protecting the colonists. What was NOT Great Britain’s motive?______________________________ What does the word interest mean in this context? How is the word attachment used in this context? Using your former knowledge about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, what might Paine be referring to when he says that England “did not protect us from our enemies on our account but from her enemies on her account…”? 3 Where, say some is the king of America? I'll tell you, Friend, he reigns above,
and doth not make havoc of mankind like the royal brute of Great Britain.... So
havoc: destruction
far as we approve of monarchy...in America the law is king....
Excerpt #3
Paine uses the technique of asking a question to get his listeners’ attention. What is the question? To whom is Paine referring when he says “the royal brute”? Paine writes that the king of America “reigns above.” Who or what is the American king? 4 But Britain is the parent country, some say. Then the more shame upon her conduct.
Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families…”
Excerpt #4
If Britain is the “parent” country, who is the “child” country? Using your prior knowledge give an example of “her conduct.” How is Paine describing the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies? 5
Small islands, not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for
kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something absurd in supposing a
continent to be perpetually governed by an island. In no instance hath
absurd: crazy nature made the satellite larger than its primary planet.”
Excerpt #5
According to Paine, what should happen to “small islands not capable of protecting themselves”? Who is Paine referring to when he writes “an island”? To whom is he referring when he writes “a continent”? According to Paine, what is unnatural about the relationship between Great Britain and the Colonies? Revisit the Guiding Question: What are the main ideas of Thomas Paine’s
Common Sense?
You are designing a cover for Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense. This cover
should exhibit a main idea from the text. (Look at the five excerpts from this
lesson. Each contains a main idea.) You may do this in either words (i.e., a Wordle
using key words from the text) or a picture. Use the other side of this page to
create your cover.
Common Sense
By Thomas Paine