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Sophia Bucci
Professor Robinson
ENGL 201
18 September 2022
Thomas Paine- MLA
Thomas Paine was a well-established figure during the Age of Reason and Revolutionary
Period. He is known for various books and for being such a key figure at this time. Thomas Paine
was an opinionated man who held political power and advocated for anarchy during his time.
Not to mention, he made significant contributions to the idea of gaining individual rights and
freedoms during the American and French Revolutions. Therefore, Thomas Paine's literature has
distinct themes, characteristics, and devices used to establish his views.
Throughout Thomas Paine's literature, he uses particular themes and ideas to convey his
viewpoints. For example, a key theme seen is religious freedom and the concept of having
independence. Thomas Paine was passionate about the idea of freedom contrary to others. The
Rights of Man explains, “While Paine was demanding religious liberty, Burke was opposing the
removal of penal statutes from Unitarians, on the ground that but for those statutes Paine might
someday set up a church in England. When Burke was retiring on a large royal pension, Paine
was in prison, through the devices of Burke’s confederate, the American Minister in Paris. So the
two men, as Burke said, ‘hunted in pairs’” (Paine, 52). This quote displays the theme Paine had
to establish despite others having beliefs and ideas indifferent to him. Additionally, Thomas
Paine valued patriotism and humanism which is seen in his writings. He explains within his
work, “The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind” (Belasco, 538).
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Therefore, this means that Thomas Paine takes great pride in his country and believes in the
freedom of this country.
There were several key characteristics of the time period to which Paine lived and
contributed. The first of which is, the lack of government and control of a body of people.
Without structure and boundaries, there is a lack of accountability and it inhabits any type of
civilization with a large number of people. Thus, there needs to be a source of government. He
states, “... ordering of the “tyrannical powers” reads like an obscene attraction— three levels of
institutional authority,... the “commons” who ostensibly speak for and represents the people,
colluding conspiratorially to abscond with liberty in all its forms. “Kings, Commons, and Lords”
here “unite amain,” with “unite” becoming a highly” (Cleary, 37). That said there needs to be
independence within that government. Rights of man explain, “There ought not now to exist any
doubt that the peoples of France, England, and America, enlightened and enlightening each
other, shall henceforth be able, not merely to give the world an example of good government, but
by their united influence enforce its practice” (Paine, 57). This quote alludes to the idea that the
new Americas need a central governing system to hold people accountable. Additionally, “Paine
had faith in the people and believed that, if allowed to choose representatives, they would select
their best and wisest men; and that while reforming government the people would remain
orderly, as they had generally remained in America during the transition from British rule to
self-government” (Paine, 53). Because of this one can further understand the characteristics and
envisionment of a strong government that gives way to the rights of the people.
Thomas Paine uses a variety of literary devices in writing to convey his ideas and
complement his writing. Paine uses a significant amount of ethos, pathos, and logos in his
writing. This is shown in his attempt to convince people that America should have its own
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government without England. For example, Paine, “If there may trouble, let it be in my day; that
my child may have peace”(Paine 109). This is an appeal to the reader's emotions because he is
reflecting on the fact that he does not want his children to struggle. This would force the reader
to think about their children and how they would not want their kids to struggle either. He also
uses syntax and diction. Paine picks his words wisely to persuade his audience. Therefore, Paine
uses literary devices as means to contribute to his writings in a way that would best help his case.
Therefore, Thomas Paine's literature has distinct themes, characteristics, and devices used
to establish his views. Because of this Paine is well known and his writings are essential to
history. This is because they allow one to understand the time period in which he lived. Paine
was a religious believer in eternal principles and thus made endeavors to make America great by
using his talents resources and passion (Paine, 51).
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Works Cited
Belasco, Susan. “The Bedford Anthology of American Literature, Volume One: Beginnings
to the Civil War.” Google Books, Bedford/St. Martin's, 1 Aug. 2007,
https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Bedford_Anthology_of_American_Litera.html
?id=DbfGwAEACAAJ.
The Crisis, No. 1: Or, Thoughts on Slavery, Occasioned by the Missouri Question. Printed
by A.H. Maltby & Co., 1820.
Cleary, Scott M. The Field of Imagination: Thomas Paine and Eighteenth-Century Poetry.
University of Virginia Press, 2019.
Paine, Thomas, et al. Thomas Paine Collection. 2020.
