3.2.2
Thomas Paine
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Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was born in Norfolk but emigrated to America in 1774 after being dismissed from his employment as an excise officer.

American Revolution
- He took part in the American Revolution, serving in Washington's army, fighting against British troops.
- Returning to England in 1787, he published the two parts of his seminal text, The Rights of Man in 1790 and 1792.

The Rights of Man
- In the book, he argues for the concept of fundamental ‘inalienable rights' that should be enjoyed by all human beings.
- This is part of the debate in Frankenstein; as the Monster becomes sentient, educated and informed about society, he begins to question his rights within the world, especially in regards to his creation.

The Monster's rights
- In Chapter 17, the Monster feels excluded from the "chain of existence and events" which makes one human and demands a mate so to be seen as an equal to someone.
- "I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede."
- Even Victor is convinced by this argument and "was moved" and "felt there was some justice" in the Monster’s request for a female companion.
1Narrative Structure
2Character Summaries
2.1Walton & Frankenstein
2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry
3Intertextuality & Allusions
3.1Intertextual References
3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories
4Biographic Context
5Chapter Summaries
5.2Chapters
5.2.1Chapters 1-25.2.2Chapters 3-45.2.3Chapters 5-65.2.4Chapters 7-95.2.5Chapters 10-115.2.6Chapters 12-155.2.7Chapters 16-195.2.8Chapters 20-235.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-65.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-155.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-235.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters
6Key Themes
7Recap: Main Quotes
7.1Characters Quotes
7.1.1Walton - Quotations7.1.2Victor Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.3The Monster - Quotations7.1.4The Educational Texts - Quotations7.1.5Elizabeth Lavenza - Quotations7.1.6Justine Moritz - Quotations7.1.7Henry Clerval - Quotations7.1.8Alphonse Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.9The De Lacey Family - Quotations
Jump to other topics
1Narrative Structure
2Character Summaries
2.1Walton & Frankenstein
2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry
3Intertextuality & Allusions
3.1Intertextual References
3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories
4Biographic Context
5Chapter Summaries
5.2Chapters
5.2.1Chapters 1-25.2.2Chapters 3-45.2.3Chapters 5-65.2.4Chapters 7-95.2.5Chapters 10-115.2.6Chapters 12-155.2.7Chapters 16-195.2.8Chapters 20-235.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-65.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-155.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-235.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters
6Key Themes
7Recap: Main Quotes
7.1Characters Quotes
7.1.1Walton - Quotations7.1.2Victor Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.3The Monster - Quotations7.1.4The Educational Texts - Quotations7.1.5Elizabeth Lavenza - Quotations7.1.6Justine Moritz - Quotations7.1.7Henry Clerval - Quotations7.1.8Alphonse Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.9The De Lacey Family - Quotations
Practice questions on Thomas Paine
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- 2Which of these are true of Thomas Paine?True / false
- 3What is Thomas Paine's seminal text called?Multiple choice
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