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Arguments in Paine's Common Sense

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This solution discusses briefly various arguments within Paine's piece:

a. England is our Protector
b. One doesn't fight against a parent.
c. Without England, colonies would have no relations to each other.

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Solution Summary

This posting briefly discusses Paine's arguments in Common Sense.

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Here are some possible answers to Paine's arguments:

a. He refutes the notion that "England is our protector" quite articulately. Examine this quote, "That she hath engrossed us is true, and defended the continent at our expense as well as her own is admitted, and she would have defended Turkey from the same motive, viz. the sake of trade and dominion." Besides protection, England also exploits America like it does to Turkey.

Also, look at Paine's monster metaphor. He compares Britain to an evil monster. We know that monsters do not protect, so Paine shows that England, too, barbarically devours its young by excess taxation and unfair treatment of the colonies. He says, "but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England."

b. Paine uses the parent/child ...

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