Thomas Paine: The Role Of Typology In American Politics

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Typology is deeply rooted throughout history as noted in American Literature, and it is still prominent today. Modern day citizens can turn on the news and see typology in one particularly important aspect of our democracy: politics. One of many examples of typology used in American Politics is when current President Donald Trump states, “We need to drain the Swamp” when speaking about the Federal Government. This phrase is dated back historically to times when people would drain swamps to reduce the number of mosquitos to alleviate the problem of malaria. However, that’s not what President Trump is alluding to, because he’s using it to generate an emotional reaction to persuade the base supporters of his campaign that he will make the American …show more content…

In “Common Sense”, written in 1776, Thomas Paine outlines to the American people that it is common sense for America to push for independence by stating, “But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even Brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families; wherefore, the assertion, if true, turns to her reproach; but it happens not to be true, or only partly so, and the phrase parent or mother country hath be jesuitically adopted by the King and his parasites” (685). This is a powerful example of persuasion in typology because during the Enlightenment, some Americans say that Britain is the parent country to America, thus not wanting to gain independence from Britain and settling with the status quo. Knowing this, Paine uses that mindset to spark a connection in the minds of the people by using persuasion in typology that mothers would not devour their young or make war upon their families. This example was exceptionally powerful to me because one can vividly picture their own parents devouring their children. Thomas Paine uses the power in persuasion to convince many Americans that gaining independence from England is the right thing to

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