Question

Select the correct answer.

In this line from Thomas Paine's Rights of Man, what element denotes that it is from the Revolutionary era?
There exists in man a mass of sense lying in a dormant state, and which, unless something excites it to action, will descend with him, in that
condition, to the grave.
A. the mention of the grave
B. the mention of sense
C. the persuasion toward action
D. the mention of excitement

Answer 1

The persuasive element in the line from Thomas Paine's Rights of Man indicates its Revolutionary era origin, urging dormant sense in individuals to awaken and take action, a signature of Enlightenment and revolutionary thought.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the line from Thomas Paine's Rights of Man, the element that denotes it is from the Revolutionary era is C. the persuasion toward action. Paine's writings, which include Rights of Man and Common Sense, are characterized by a clear and persuasive style that stirred the public to action during the times of the American and French Revolutions. His emphasis on natural rights and a government that has a duty to its people were key themes of the Enlightenment and the revolutionary movements it inspired. Paine argued that citizens had the right, and in fact the obligation, to rise up against oppressive governments that did not protect their inherent rights, which is reflected in the line that encourages the dormant 'sense' in man to be excited to action.