Analysis of a Text: Date, Nature, Author, Recipient, Goal, Main Idea

Identifying the Date and Nature of the Text

Text commentarry :

1. Identify the date ( when was it written and what do you know about this period?)
2. Identify the nature of the text ( is it a letter, a speech, an article from the press? What can we expect? For example a letter can easily send a personal idea to..) 
3.  Identify the author, his name, his quality
4. Identify the recipient ( to whom was it addressed, for 1, for more recipients? Is there a hidden one?)
5. Identify the goal of the text ( why was it written?)
6. Identify the main idea ( it may be some key phrases from the text. How to recognize them? )

 

IN the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense; and have no other preliminaries to settle with the reader, than that he will divest himself of prejudice and prepossession, and suffer his reason and his feelings to determine for themselves (…) Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America. Men of all ranks have embarked in the controversy, from different motives, and with various designs; but all have been ineffectual, and the period of debate is closed. (…)

 

As much hathbeen said of the advantages of reconciliation, which, like an agreeable dream,hath passed away and left us as we were, it is but right that we should examine the contrary side of the argument, and enquire into some of the many material injuries which these Colonies sustain, and always will sustain, by being connected with and dependent on Great Britain. To examine that connection and dependence, on the principles of nature and common sense, to see what we have to trust to, if separated, and what we are to expect, if dependent.

 

I have heard it asserted by some, that as America has flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect. Nothing can be more fallacious than this kind of argument; for I answer roundly that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken any notice of her. The commerce by which she hath enriched herself are the necessaries of life and will always have a market while eating is the custom of Europe. 

But Great Britain has protected us, say some. That she hath engrossed2 us is true and defended the Continent at our expense as well as her own, is admitted; and she would have  defended Turkey from the same motive for the sake of trade and dominion.Alas! we have been long led away by ancient prejudices and made large sacrifices to superstition. We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was (…). France and Spain never were, nor perhaps ever will be, our enemies as Americans, but as our being the subjects of Great Britain.

 

Europe, and not England, is the parent country of America. This new World hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from EVERY PART of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still.I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge; not a single advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for buy them where we will.

But the injuries and disadvantages which we sustain by that connection, are without number and our duty to mankind at large, as well as to ourselves, instruct us to renounce the alliance: because, any submission to, or dependence on, Great Britain, tends directly to involve this Continent in European wars and quarrels, and set us at variance4 with nations who would otherwise seek our friendship, and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint. (…) Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation.