2011 FRQ #3

Post date: Apr 30, 2013 4:54:4 PM

3. The following passage is from Rights of Man, a book written by the pamphleteer Thomas Paine in 1791. Born in

England, Paine was an intellectual, a revolutionary, and a supporter of American independence from England. Read

the passage carefully. Then write an essay that examines the extent to which Paine’s characterization of America

holds true today. Use appropriate evidence to support your argument.

                If there is a country in the world, where concord, according to common calculation, would be

                least expected, it is America. Made up, as it is, of people from different nations, accustomed to

                different forms and habits of government, speaking different languages, and more different in

                their modes of worship, it would appear that the union of such a people was impracticable; but

                by the simple operation of constructing government on the principles of society and the rights

                of man, every difficulty retires, and all the parts are brought into cordial unison. There, the

                poor are not oppressed, the rich are not privileged. . . . Their taxes are few, because their

                government is just; and as there is nothing to render them wretched, there is nothing to

                engender riots and tumults.

To see a packet of graded essays on this topic, click this link: 2011 FRQ #3 Graded Essays