Monday

Finish - Seeds of the Revolution- Keynote Presentation

Compare Paine’s “Common Sense” to Hannah Griffitts poem:

In the first paragraph, what are the purpose and effect of the juxtapositions that Thomas Paine uses to characterize the differences between society and government?

How does the use of imagery, figurative language, and analogy contribute to Paine’s position in the second paragraph?

How does Paine characterize society in paragraphs 2-3?

How accurately does Paine’s hypothetical account anticipate the future United States under the Constitution?

Paine writes of the “frequent interchange” that will “establish a common interest with every part of the community” (par. 6). Is this what we have in American politics today? To what extent have we kept the promise that he identified?

What is the rhetorical effect of the figurative language at the end of paragraph 7?

Hannah Griffitts poem:

__HANNAH GRIFFITTS__ 

__Upon reading a Book entitled Common Sense__ 

Philadelphia, January 1776 

From a well-to-do Quaker family in Philadelphia, Hannah Griffitts wrote poetry throughout the revolutionary period that hailed moderation and condemned extremism from both Patriots and Loyalists. Here she labels Thomas Paine author of the widely read pro-revolution pamphlet Common Sense, published in January 1776 a “ Snake beneath the Grass.” She grieves that moderate political voices are no longer tolerated, indeed called “friends of tyranny,” and that reconciliation with Great Britain has become a lost option. 

The Vizard drop’d, see Subtlety prevail,
Thro’ ev’ry Page of this fallacious Tale,
Sylvania1 let it not unanswered pass,
But heed the well guess’d Snake beneath the Grass, A deeper Wound at Freedom ne’er was made, Then by this Oliverian2 is display’d. 

Orders confounded  Dignities thrown down, Charters degraded equal with the Crown,
The impartial Press, most partially maintain’d Freedom infring’d & Conscience is restrain’d, The moderate man is held to public View, “The Friend of Tyranny & Foe to you,” Deny’d the common Right to represent 

Forbid to give his Reasons for Dissent,
Whilst base Informers (Own’d3 a public Pest)
Are round the land encourag’d & caress’d
Our Representatives  the People’s Choice
Are held contemptuous by this daring Voice.
Persons are seiz’d & Posts monopoliz’d
And all our Form of Government despis’d
Then from this “Specimen of Rule” beware,
Behold the Serpent & avoid his Snare.
’Tis not in Names, our present Danger lies
Sixty as well as one can tyrannize,
Ah! then awake Sylvania & beware,
The fatal Danger of this subtle Snare,
Hold fast your own, your charter’d Rights maintain Nor let them weave the Snare into the Chain,
And whilst firm Union stands4 the British Foes,
Let not the native Hand your Date of Freedom close. 

NOTES:
1 Pennsylvania. 

2 Griffitts is likening Paine to Oliver Cromwell, an English politician who established a brief republic in England in the mid1650s, after the execution of King Charles I, but came to exercise tyrannical authority. 

3 Own’d a public Pest, i.e., although radical voices are admitted to be dangerous, they are yet“encouraged and caressed.” 

4 Withstands. 

Discussion Questions:

Identify the allusions in this poem.

Why the connection to Oliver Cromwell? What point does Griffitts make in doing so?

What arguments does she make against Paine?

Tuesday

-Tone Analysis of The Olive Branch Petition

- Tone Worksheet and Discussion

Analysis of the Rhetorical Strategies in The Declaration of Independence

Homework- Prepare for a test over the Revolution.

Wednesday

No classes!

Homework- Study for the test.

Thursday

Test over the Revolution

Homework Due Thursday- Read Washington’s Constitution and take notes. Then, watch the following video:

Friday

The Neoclassical Republic - Keynote presentation

Homework- Begin the Constitution Studyguide. This will be due on Monday. This is a lengthy assignment, so I strongly recommend breaking this up over a few days. Don’t wait until Sunday night to do this!