# Dedication explained — The Rights of Man

> Chapter companion for The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se/chapters/dedication
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se/chapters