Robert A. Ferguson's The Commonalities Of Common Sense

In 1776 aspirations of obtaining independence and freedom weighed heavily on the hearts of numerous Europeans living in North America. Many of the European Americans aspired to live by their own accord in a sovereign nation; however, there were other European Americans who wanted North America to be governed by the British. The European Americans who desired to revolt and overthrow the tyrannical rule of Great Britain in North America knew that they needed to gain as many supporters as they could in order to have a chance against the highly touted British army. They realized that the only way to gain more supporters was to convince the adamant British loyalists to join their fight for freedom. They began to flood North America with numerous …show more content…
Many of them believe that the pamphlet was able to achieve this due to the emotional sense of unification between the readers and Paine. For example, in Robert A. Ferguson’s article, “The Commonalities of Common Sense” he writes, “their house, when divided against itself, will not stand; their virtue, because not cultivated, will surely disappear; their common sense, as it becomes less vigilant, will tumble before "the mind of the multitude" (467). Ferguson showcases that Paine utilizes an immense amount of collective nouns in his pamphlet. He also illustrates how these collective nouns create an emotional sense of connection between the reader and Paine. The connection makes the reader believe that the Europeans living in North America are different than their counterparts living in Europe, and it also makes the reader feel as if the European Americans have their own distinct way of life. This belief that the European Americans have their own way of life leads the reader to believe this revolution is a war of livelihood. It gives the reader a belief that they are not revolting to simply create a new government, but that they are fighting as a group for their way of life. The reader then understands that the revolution is not being fought to posses the ability to govern themselves, but rather …show more content…
He wants the reader to realize that this war is far greater than any man, and the results will last longer than any man. For example, Paine states, “The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. ’Tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent – of at least one eighth part of the habitable globe. ’Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now”. This showcases how Paine wants the reader to know that the outcome will affect the the entire globe and every generation to come. He is attempting to show that this revolution is not just for a simple cause, but rather the worthiest of all causes. Paine shows the reader that the cause will give future generations a sense of self-determination, which will progress the future civilization. This makes the reader feel as if they are doing this to ensure a better life for their children and everyone else in future generations. He wants the reader to realize that this generation has to decide if they want their children and grandchildren to live in freedom or under the British tyranny. Paine also utilizes a biblical tone when talking about the sun shining down on the