Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of a book/pamphlet called Common Sense, which was authored by Thomas Paine with the aim of convincing American colonialists to stop being royal to England and fight for American independence. The paper explains the meaning of the term ‘propaganda’ and the extent to which the book is propaganda. Briefly, the paper explains some reasons that make the content of the book propaganda. In addition, the paper explores the usefulness of the extent to which the piece is propaganda and gauges its impact. A brief reflection regarding my experience in reading the book is given at the end.

Book Review – Common Sense

Common Sense is an influential book written between 1775 and 1776 by an American colonialist called Thomas Paine. The content of the book aimed at convincing American colonialists to fight against British rule and make America an independent country. Paine convinced colonialists living in America to stop being loyal to England. As a result, the book contributed immensely in convincing American colonialists to engage in revolution that started in 1776 (Liell, 2003).

The book managed to convince colonialists in America due to its extensive propaganda. Theterm ‘propaganda’ describesanyinformation that is spreaddeliberately with theaim of causingeither a positiveornegativeeffect on an individual, a group of people, an institution, a movement, a governmentor a nation. Propaganda is used to convince people of something (Jowett & O’Donnell, 2011). Common Sense can be described as propaganda to a large extent since much of its content was meant to convince colonialists to stop being loyal to the government of Britain and fight for independence.

Common Sense is propaganda due to the persuasive information contained in it and was deliberately included by Paine. For instance, Paine indicated that it was absurd for the American continent to be ruled by a small Island. Also, Paine wrote that America comprised of immigrants from different European nations and not just Britain (Liell, 2003). According to Paine, it was wrong for Britain to regard America as their country. Further, Paine argued that many American colonialists perceived Britain as their mother country. However, Britain was cruel and brutal to them in a manner that a mother cannot. In addition, Paine maintained that America would not excel unless it was given independence since Britain would drag it into European wars (Liell, 2003).

The extent to which Common Sense is propaganda is useful since it enables the reader to understand that British rule in America led to oppression of the colonialists and thus, there was a need for independence. The propaganda in the book is likeable and useful since it manages to convince the reader to support the fight for freedom. This explains the fact that President Washington required his troops to read it. When reading Common Sense, I found it so convincing that it can even convince people in one state who feel that they are oppressed by a parent state to fight aggressively for separation and independence. However, I found it being too authoritative since it tends to decide for the reader what to do, rather than leaving the reader to make own decisions.

References

Jowett, G. S. & O’Donnell, V. (2011). Propaganda & Persuasion. London: SAGE.

Liell, S. (2003). 46 Pages: Tom Paine, Common Sense, and the Turning Point to American

Independence. New York: Running Press.