上海外国语大学美国文学课件：chapter 2.ppt

Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britian. On the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Constitution Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs Of the Present Ability of America: with some Miscellaneous Reflections The Crisis is a collection of articles written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolutionary War. In 1776 Paine wrote Common Sense, an extremely popular and successful pamphlet arguing for Independence from England. The essays collected here constitute Paines on-going support for an independent and self-governing America through the many severe crises of the revolutionary war. General Washington ordered that the first essay be read to the troops at Valley Forge, on Christmas eve, shortly before the crossing of the Delaware. (1)This work contains the most famous passage in all of Paine’s writings: “These are the times that try men’s souls.The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country… Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered.” In defense of the French Revolution and as a response to Burke, who had promptly condemned the French rebellion, Paine wrote and published The Rights of Man (1791). Part I appeared in early 1791, and Part II in February 1792. Guided by his ideals, Paine declared that the government which exists to guard the natural rights of the individuals is unable to ensure their rights without governments help. Four key rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. TO MY FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: ??? I PUT the following work under your protection. It contains my opinions upon Religion. You will do me the justice to remember, that I