Thomas Paine wrote out to "General Washington's demoralized troops at Valley Forge (AR 50)" to express his desire for American freedom. He began by telling us of his beliefs about God's power over the war. He believed that the higher being wouldn't let men die if it weren't for a good cause in the end. He then goes on to talk about his country and that they have to put all they can into this war if they want to keep a free country. He expresses this by saying, "...I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state; up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake" (AR 52). If they could win, the prize would be more than rewarding. Later in his letter he refers to some of the absurd laws that the British had put on them. One of them was how a British soldier could invade any home at any time and do whatever they wanted to do. He said that the idea of that happening to his home put him over the edge. We read about this law in another passage when someone was arguing against it also. Paine's opinion is that he is not a strong believer of war, but when his life is at stake he will act against it. The introduction to Thomas Paine's life is very interesting. He was involved with both the American and French Revolution. I have never realized that both Revolutions went on at about the same time. I have learned that Thomas Paine was one of the world's greatest political propagandists.
The American Reader
No comments:
Post a Comment