The Rights of Man · Chapter
Dedication explained
Thomas Paine dedicates his work 'The Rights of Man' to George Washington, praising his virtue in establishing principles of freedom and expressing hope that the New World will regenerate the Old.
What happens
Thomas Paine dedicates his work 'The Rights of Man' to George Washington, praising his virtue in establishing principles of freedom and expressing hope that the New World will regenerate the Old.
Themes in this chapter
Natural Rights of Man
Paine presents his work in defense of the principles of freedom, directly invoking the concept of universal Rights of Man.
Revolution and Reform
Paine expresses hope that the New World (America) will regenerate the Old (Europe), implying revolutionary change.
Characters to notice
- George Washington
President of the United States of America, praised for his exemplary virtue in establishing principles of freedom.
- Thomas Paine
Author of the treatise, presenting it in defense of freedom and expressing a prayer for the New World to regenerate the Old.
Key passages
“I present you a small treatise in defence of those principles of freedom which your exemplary virtue hath so eminently contributed to establish.”
Paine offers this book to Washington as a defense of the freedom that Washington's virtue helped to establish.
Paine acknowledges Washington's role in the American Revolution and aligns his work with those principles.
“That the Rights of Man may become as universal as your benevolence can wish, and that you may enjoy the happiness of seeing the New World regenerate the Old, is the prayer of Sir, Your much obliged, and Obedient humble Servant, Thomas Paine”
Paine prays that the Rights of Man will spread worldwide and that Washington will witness the New World revitalizing the Old.
Paine expresses a hopeful vision of global revolution inspired by American ideals.