1. What is the author arguing?
The author William Penn, who written the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, is trying to express his reasoning of religion and government in Pennsylvania. His argument was based upon forming a government that was religious, and how it could help people that were residing in Pennsylvania. He wanted three common ideas of government into one whole division in which “any government is free to the people under it where the laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny.” Since there is hardly any government that is so badly planned that it will not perform well even in good hands, therefore William Penn expressed his desire for men to rule the government in good way. His reasoning was based upon the need for the government and to put his skills at work where men can comfortably live within the holy laws.
The author William Penn, who written the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, is trying to express his reasoning of religion and government in Pennsylvania. His argument was based upon forming a government that was religious, and how it could help people that were residing in Pennsylvania. He wanted three common ideas of government into one whole division in which “any government is free to the people under it where the laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny.” Since there is hardly any government that is so badly planned that it will not perform well even in good hands, therefore William Penn expressed his desire for men to rule the government in good way. His reasoning was based upon the need for the government and to put his skills at work where men can comfortably live within the holy laws.
2. How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
The author William Penn is strongly appealing to logos, pathos, and ethos with his argument because he has experiences and skills regarding how the government should be run. The words of the preface clearly show pathos that he believed in equality and wanted residents of Pennsylvania to live freely under the frame of the government. He wanted to construct a colony with religious purposes and freedom of worship. The logos is the fact that he wrote the preface to the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania and put it into action. The ethos is about the character of the writer, in this case, William Penn became the Governor and Chief Proprietor of Pennsylvania and was declared to hold fundamental in the government. He showed that he did it what he said he would do; that is to form a government and freedom of religion for the colonists.
The author William Penn is strongly appealing to logos, pathos, and ethos with his argument because he has experiences and skills regarding how the government should be run. The words of the preface clearly show pathos that he believed in equality and wanted residents of Pennsylvania to live freely under the frame of the government. He wanted to construct a colony with religious purposes and freedom of worship. The logos is the fact that he wrote the preface to the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania and put it into action. The ethos is about the character of the writer, in this case, William Penn became the Governor and Chief Proprietor of Pennsylvania and was declared to hold fundamental in the government. He showed that he did it what he said he would do; that is to form a government and freedom of religion for the colonists.
3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The historical significance/relevance of this document is that it was true event that happened in the past which change the way of governing. It was a constitution for Pennsylvania colony which was given by Charles II of England to William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania colony. It was important document as it marked significant step into American government democracy. It was also step toward freedom of religion in the colony. The Pennsylvania colony began to emerge separately from others due to Penn’s justifications.
The historical significance/relevance of this document is that it was true event that happened in the past which change the way of governing. It was a constitution for Pennsylvania colony which was given by Charles II of England to William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania colony. It was important document as it marked significant step into American government democracy. It was also step toward freedom of religion in the colony. The Pennsylvania colony began to emerge separately from others due to Penn’s justifications.
4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
I find the author’s argument convincing because he has written the document that would benefit all the residents living in the Pennsylvania colony. He was writing the document keeping everyone in the mind that it would change the way they were living. Through the document, he seemed very considerate and convincing that he will achieve his reasoning and ideas. His document give us overview of the laws that are agreed upon in England and in the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, hence we understand why the colonists believed in him and his ideas of free religion and the government.
I find the author’s argument convincing because he has written the document that would benefit all the residents living in the Pennsylvania colony. He was writing the document keeping everyone in the mind that it would change the way they were living. Through the document, he seemed very considerate and convincing that he will achieve his reasoning and ideas. His document give us overview of the laws that are agreed upon in England and in the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, hence we understand why the colonists believed in him and his ideas of free religion and the government.
1. What is the author arguing?
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that Penn was arguing for applying Murphy’s Law to government. "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong" therefor government must be framed in such a way that the government can be good even when the people running it are not the best.
2. How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
I think we (in the 21st century) can all be grateful “that he believed in equality and wanted residents of Pennsylvania to live freely under the frame of the government. He wanted to construct a colony with religious purposes and freedom of worship.”
3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
I think that “It was also step toward freedom of religion in the colony” is true and very important. The neighboring Puritans came to the New world for religious freedom for themselves but were VERY intolerant of other religions.
I also think Penn’s ideas like “nor is it easy to frame a civil government, that shall serve all places alike” can help us understand the value that the framers of the Constitution of the United States put on states rights. And Penn’s writings are an important influence on the form of the Constitution and recognizing the need for a process for amendments.
4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
I agree this document helps us “understand why the colonists believed in him and his ideas of free religion and the government.”
Thanks for responding and I learned something new which I should have added in the original post. Like you said, the government can be good even though people who are running are not well prepared. The document says, "there is hardly one frame of government in the world so ill designed by its first founders, that, in good hands, would not do well enough; and story tells us, the best, in ill ones, can do nothing that is great or good." If people run the government with good intentions, then the government will run good, too. Therefore, it is like win-win situation, where both sides/parties have to work together to achieve their ideas in this case, William Penn ideas of freedom of religion and forming a government with holy laws. Also, William Penn wrote "nor is it easy to frame a civil government, that shall serve all places alike"; he shows us that it's not easy to build a government that would run same way in every places. His ideas were very creative and helped colonists to live comfortable life after the frame of the government.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts on this are perceptive. I too believe this was a fundamental step in the creation of American democracy and religious toleration in the colonies. This document seems to be laying the groundwork for organized and different government in the colonies. Penn's foresight that it was difficult to create a standard government that worked in all places was very timely considering the colonies were developing in different ways. Some were religious-based. Others were economically driven. It may also have been a hint at how difficult it could be for England's laws to transfer perfectly to the New World.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Akemi’s statement that “this was a fundamental step in the creation of American democracy and religious toleration in the colonies.” I think it shows why Philadelphia (which is Greek for Brotherly Love” would become the social center for the 13 colonies.
ReplyDeleteVery good points. Akemi, I esp. like your bit on how English laws may not have transferred perfectly. I would add that the separation from the Old World allowed this republican efforts to thrive in way they wouldn't under established European kingdoms.
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