Early U.S. Documents Quick Check

Question

2 of 52 of 5 Items
Feature

Common Sense
by Thomas Paine

I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered; and the easier repaired when disordered; and with this maxim in view, I offer a few remarks on the so much boasted constitution of England. That it was noble for the dark and slavish times in which it was erected, is granted. When the world was over run with tyranny the least remove therefrom was a glorious rescue. But that it is imperfect, subject to convulsions, and incapable of producing what it seems to promise, is easily demonstrated.

Absolute governments (tho’ the disgrace of human nature) have this advantage with them, that they are simple; if the people suffer, they know the head from which their suffering springs, know likewise the remedy, and are not bewildered by a variety of causes and cures. But the constitution of England is so exceedingly complex, that the nation may suffer for years together without being able to discover in which part the fault lies, some will say in one and some in another, and every political physician will advise a different medicine.

I know it is difficult to get over local or long standing prejudices, yet if we will suffer ourselves to examine the component parts of the English constitution, we shall find them to be the base remains of two ancient tyrannies, compounded with some new republican materials.

First.—The remains of monarchical tyranny in the person of the king.

Secondly.—The remains of aristocratical tyranny in the persons of the peers.

Thirdly.—The new republican materials, in the persons of the commons, on whose virtue depends the freedom of England.

The two first, by being hereditary, are independent of the people; wherefore in a constitutional sense they contribute nothing towards the freedom of the state.

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

Why does Thomas Paine repeat the words government, constitution, and tyranny?

(1 point)
Responses

to establish an informal tone that appeals to readers
to establish an informal tone that appeals to readers

to suggest the colonists are responsible for the way they are consistently treated
to suggest the colonists are responsible for the way they are consistently treated

to propose a solution to a recent problem or issue
to propose a solution to a recent problem or issue

to underscore the theme that absolute government is bad for the colonists
to underscore the theme that absolute government is bad for the colonists

Answer 1

The correct response is:

to underscore the theme that absolute government is bad for the colonists.

Thomas Paine uses the repetition of "government," "constitution," and "tyranny" to emphasize the negative aspects of absolute government and to highlight the complexities and failures of the English constitution. This reinforces his argument that the colonists deserve a better system of governance that is simpler and more representative.