Jonathan Edwards And Thomas Paine Throughout This Term

Jonathan Edwards Thomas Painethroughout This Term I Will Give You W

Jonathan Edwards / Thomas Paine Throughout this term, I will give you writing assignment choices to lighten your load a bit. You may choose to answer the questions from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," or you may choose to answer the questions from Common Sense. Again, choose ONE set of questions to answer.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

  1. Notice that Edwards lived and preached at the beginning of the Enlightenment. Consider this statement: “But the foolish children of men do miserably delude themselves in their own schemes, and in their confidence in their own strength and wisdom; they trust to nothing but a shadow.” Summarize his main points in the first five pages of this sermon. What is his basic message to those who place trust in themselves? (Remember that summary is comprehensive, but brief. Try to condense what Edwards has said into four or five solid sentences.)
  2. Pages contain several famous figures of speech (simile, metaphor, etc.) that all relate to the wrath of God. Identify and explain at least three of these figures of speech. (If you are using the online link to the sermon, these can be found under “Application.”)
  3. List the four points Edwards makes about God’s wrath on pages. Notice the word choice in those pages: "horrible," "merciless vengeance," "great wrath," "infinite misery," "lamentable and bitter cry," "torment," "lamentable and dolorous cries and shrieks," etc. Edwards is painting a very vivid picture for this congregation.
  4. What is the “extraordinary opportunity” (p. 203) available to Edwards’s listeners? How can they escape the wrath that he has described so well?
  5. Explain the allusion to Sodom at the end of the selection. Who looked behind her as she fled from Sodom? What happened to her? What point is Edwards trying to make with this allusion?

Common Sense

  1. The second paragraph of the selection notes that much has been written and said about the controversy—the struggle between England and America. Paine then writes, “. . . and the period of debate is closed.” Keep this in mind. Paine is writing from the belief that reconciliation with England is NOT possible. He offers “simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” as to why America must fight for its freedom and separate completely from Britain.
  2. The fourth paragraph on part III begins, “The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth.” Paine goes on to stress the importance of this cause to all posterity. He writes, “. . . posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected even to the end of time by the proceedings now.” He ends that paragraph with a simile that strengthens this point. Identify and explain this simile.
  3. On pages, Paine answers arguments that some have set forth for reconciliation with England. Write Paine’s answer for each argument by paraphrasing. a. America’s prosperity under Britain and the necessity of that connection for future happiness. b. Britain’s protection of America. c. Britain as the parent country. d. The strength Britain and America would have if united, enabling them to oppose the world.
  4. Paine states, “’TIS TIME TO PART” (p. 343). What reasons does he outline in this paragraph for ending the union with Britain?
  5. According to the paragraphs beginning at the top of 344, what kind of men would favor reconciliation and oppose the fight for freedom? What are the two things that America could conquer herself with?
  6. Explain the analogy on the bottom of page 345: “Can ye give to prostitution its former innocence?” Be sure to note how this reference ties into Paine’s point about change and independence.

Paper For Above instruction

The choice of whether to analyze Jonathan Edwards's sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” or Thomas Paine's “Common Sense” presents an opportunity to explore two pivotal works from very different ideological and historical contexts. For this paper, I will focus on Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” which played a crucial role in inspiring American independence through clear, persuasive arguments grounded in rationality and common sense.

Thomas Paine's “Common Sense” argues convincingly that the time has come for America to sever its political ties with Britain. Paine emphasizes that the debate is over and that reconciliation is no longer feasible or desirable. Instead, he advocates for a complete and decisive independence, framing it as a moral necessity for the betterment of future generations. Paine underscores the importance of this cause by stating that posterity’s fate depends on the decisions made now. He vividly compares the potential for reconciliation to a corrupting “prostitution,” suggesting that trying to restore innocence to a compromised relationship is futile. This powerful analogy emphasizes the need for Americans to break free and establish their own nation.

Paine presents a series of arguments against reconciliation with Britain, which he refutes convincingly. He dismisses the notion that America’s prosperity under British rule necessitates continued union, asserting that the advantages of independence far outweigh the temporary benefits of subjugation. He counters the idea that Britain’s protection is vital, asserting that America can defend itself better without reliance on Britain. Paine also refutes the claim that Britain is the “parent country,” arguing that such a relationship is unnatural and oppressive. Finally, he dismisses the fear that unity with Britain would be a source of strength, clarifying that their union merely prolongs conflict and injustice.

The core reason Paine advocates for separation is that the ongoing subjugation is morally wrong and politically unsustainable. He famously declares, “’TIS TIME TO PART,” reflecting the urgency of ending this relationship. The reasons he provides include the injury, disadvantage, and continued dependence that America suffers under British rule. Paine emphasizes that the country’s independence will allow it to address its own problems and develop freely. The analogy comparing America’s potential to cleanse itself of dependence to prostitution’s loss of innocence underscores the necessity of breaking free from corrupting influences and forging a new, independent identity.

In conclusion, Thomas Paine's “Common Sense” is an impassioned call for American independence based on rational arguments, moral clarity, and a vivid use of analogy to persuade the colonists to reject continued reconciliation and embrace their future as an independent nation. His emphasis on the urgency of the moment and the moral imperative underscores the work's historical significance in shaping the American Revolution.

References

  • Paine, T. (1776). Common Sense. Founding Fathers Publishing.
  • Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
  • Ellis, J. J. (2004). Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Vintage Books.
  • Repko, A. F. (2012). Interdisciplinary Research: Process and Theory. Sage Publications.
  • Duke, D. (1996). The American Revolution: A History. Henry Holt and Company.
  • Gordon, M. (2000). The American Revolution: A Concise History. Oxford University Press.
  • Chernow, R. (2004). Alexander Hamilton. Penguin Books.
  • Maier, P. (2010). From Resistance to Revolution: Colonial Radicals and the Development of American Opposition to Britain. Knopf.
  • Lloyd, G. E. R. (2005). The Philosophy of Action. Cambridge University Press.
  • Miller, R. (2009). The Enlightenment and the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.

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