In Common Sense why does Paine want his readers to imagine themselves in Boston? Also what does Paine mean when he writes, “Bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature. . .”?
I see no one has helped so I will try. Paine was in Philadelphia, but the action, up to and including the British closing the port and the other colonies sending food over land, was in Boston.
Thank you
In Common Sense, Thomas Paine wants his readers to imagine themselves in Boston in order to help them relate to the struggles and hardships faced by the American colonists. By asking his readers to picture themselves in Boston, Paine aims to evoke an emotional response and create a sense of empathy towards the colonists' grievances and desires for independence.
When Paine writes, "Bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature," he is urging his readers to assess the idea of reconciliation between Britain and the colonies in light of natural reason and common sense. The touchstone of nature refers to a benchmark or standard by which something can be evaluated. Paine is suggesting that the concept of reconciliation with Britain should be subjected to scrutiny based on the principles of nature and practical human understanding. Essentially, he is urging his readers to critically evaluate the feasibility and benefits of reconciliation in light of the natural rights and liberties of the American people.
To understand why Thomas Paine wants his readers to imagine themselves in Boston and what he means by "Bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature," we can analyze the context and key ideas in his pamphlet Common Sense.
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in 1776 to persuade American colonists to support the idea of independence from British rule. In order to achieve this, he uses various rhetorical strategies, including invoking empathy and reason.
1. Imagining in Boston: Paine wants his readers to imagine themselves in Boston to create a sense of personal connection and empathy. At the time, Boston was a center of resistance against British oppression, and Paine uses it as a symbol of the struggles faced by the colonists. By asking his readers to put themselves in the shoes of Bostonians, Paine aims to evoke emotions like anger, frustration, and a desire for freedom. This emotional connection can then motivate readers to support the American cause.
2. "Bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature": Paine writes this phrase to encourage his readers to critically evaluate the British proposal of reconciliation. "Doctrine of reconciliation" refers to the idea that the American colonies should seek a peaceful compromise with Britain instead of pursuing independence. By bringing it "to the touchstone of nature," Paine is suggesting that they analyze it using common sense and rationality. The touchstone is a metaphoric test or criterion used to determine the genuineness or quality of something. Paine wants his readers to critically evaluate the feasibility and desirability of reconciliation by examining it through the lens of nature's laws and basic human reason.
Overall, Paine wants his readers to emotionally connect with the struggle in Boston and then employ their logical reasoning to evaluate the proposal of reconciliation. These rhetorical strategies aim to convince readers that independence is the most logical and justifiable course of action for the American colonies.