Paine again discusses America in terms of their relationship with Great Britain. We are expected to be independent from them and therefore we must remain independent. He is saying that Americans are the people who try their hardest to fight for change. "I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection," (53). So, the American must also be optimistic and keep their chin up whenever negativity pulls them down. "It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf; and we ought to guard equally against both," (53). The American is expected to be agile, sly yet brutish enough to kill in war as well as in any terms of defense. Pain argues that we are all the same: "If we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference; neither can any just cause be assigned why we should punish in the one case and pardon the other," (53). I think that here, Paine is referencing to the Declaration of Independence in the sense that he is alluding to "all men are created equal." Above all, I feel that Paine is speaking a lot more than just about Great Britain; I think that in being all of the qualities he listed, Americans are expected to defend their ideas in times of threat, but equally willing to change in those times.
I am very interested in what you said at the end of your blog, "Americans are expected to defend their ideas in times of threat, but equally willing to change in those times". To me it doesn't seem like many American citizens are willing to change their beliefs or morals rather than fight for their rights. As "hard-headed Americans" citizens were expected to fight, especially by Paine. According to him anything less was considered cowardice and even evil. In what ways do you think Americans changed?
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