1. according to paine, what kinds of people "espouse the doctrine of reconciliation" with england?
2. what does paine’s language tell you about how he feels about these people?
3. how does paine describe life in boston, and why does he think the situation there shows that england should not be governing the colonies?
4. how does paine describe those who would reconcile with great britain? what does his description of them tell you about his attitude toward them?
5. what questions does paine have for those who would reconcile with england?
6. why does paine think reconciliation is impossible?
7. who, in this paragraph is the "fugitive," who must receive or take in that "fugitive," and why must that fugitive be received?
8. how does paine link the fate of america with the fate of the world? what role does paine assign to america?
that england should not be governing the colonies?
the selections from common sense are taken from paragraphs 17 and 21-24 of the section titled "thoughts on the present state of american affairs”.
paragraph 1. "i challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that
this continent can reap by being connected with great britain. i repeat the challenge; not a single
advantage is derived. ."
paragraph 2. "though i would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offence, yet i am inclined to
believe, that all those who espouse the doctrine of reconciliation, may be included within the
following descriptions."
paragraph 3. "interested men, who are not to be trusted, weak men who cannot see,
prejudiced men who will not see, and a certain set of moderate men who think better of the
european world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the
cause of more calamities to this continent than all the other three."
paragraph 4. "it is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of present sorrow; the
evil is not sufficiently brought to their doors to make them feel the precariousness with which all
american property is possessed. but let our imaginations transport us a few moments to boston;
that seat of wretchedness will teach us wisdom, and instruct us forever to renounce a power in
whom we can have no trust. the inhabitants of that unfortunate city, who but a few months ago
were in ease and affluence, have now no other alternative than to stay and starve, or turn out to
beg. endangered by the fire of their friends if they continue within the city and plundered by the
soldiery if they leave it, in their present situation they are prisoners without the hope of
redemption, and in a general attack for their relief they would be exposed to the fury of both
armies."
there are no answer choices.