Vocab
What does celestial mean?
Heavenly
Was Paine fighting for or against England? What about America?
Against England, for America
The quote, “Though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal never can expire.”(p.118) uses what figure of speech?
In the analogy of the thief in the night, who is the “thief” referring to?
The British
True or False. The word impious is referring to someone who is showing respect for God.
False
Who were the Tories?
The colonists who remained loyal to Great Britain
Does Paine say that the Independence of the Colonies happened too late or too soon?
Too late, he believes that it should have happened 8 months earlier. “My own simple opinion is, that it had been 8 months earlier, it would have been much better . . .” (p. 118)
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered…”(p.117) is an example of what figure of speech?
Simile
Which two types of appeals does Paine make in this excerpt? Give an example of each.
Logical and emotional
“‘Show your faith by your works’ that God may bless you.”(p.118) is what type of belief? Explain.
Puritan
What does anecdote mean?
A short story about real events (like the one about the Tories)
According to Paine, why would a good father rather have chaos in their day than in their child’s day?
They would care about their child more than themselves and therefore they would fight for freedom now so their child could have peace and independence.
The argument about the thief in the night on page 119 shows which figure of speech?
America then was seen as the ‘child’ while England was the ‘father’. Paine also talked about how the father wasn't treating the child right, why do you think this is?
England was still taxing the people in America and they were still under British rule. This also emphasized that the British are controlling over the Colonies.
“If we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference.” What type of belief is this? Explain.
Rationalist
Which word means sensible or careful? (hint: used in the story about the Tories)
Prudent
What does Paine say doesn’t matter about the thief in the thief in the night metaphor?
He said it doesn’t matter whether it’s “a king or a common man; my country man or not my country man?” (p. 119)
“Not a place on earth might be so happy as America.”(p.118) is an example of what figure of speech?
Hyperbole
In the first paragraph, what was Paine’s point in quoting the British? (“to bind us in all cases whatsoever”)
To emphasize that the British aren’t treating them well and that it is a condition comparable to slavery.
As a whole, which type of belief is shown more in this piece by Thomas Paine? Explain.
(either is accepted if explained well enough)
-Rationalist because he wants to break free from England and he wants to revolt and have a democracy which is a Rationalist belief
-Puritan because the recurring theme of God’s word and will. They believe very strongly that God will always support and help them.
What does tyranny mean?
Cruel and oppressive government or rule
Why does Paine say that we should equally guard against a wolf and a fox?
The wolf may be more violent but the fox is more cunning, so they are equally as dangerous. Strategy can be just as effective as brute force.
“Lay your shoulders to the wheel…”(p.118) is an example of what figure of speech?
Idiom
“... if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is they're not such a thing as slavery…” What does this quote really mean?
Paine is saying that what the English are doing to the Colonies is comparable to slavery and that God is the only person who should have that much power over people.
Were the Tories (more specifically the one in the anecdote about the father and the son) more likely Puritans or Rationalists? Explain.
(either is accepted if explained well enough)
-Puritans because he is still loyal to England and doesn’t want conflict and he isn’t concerned about what will happen if England stays in control (small minded)
-Rationalist because he is focused on the here and now and the present issues they are facing.