Thomas Jefferson/Declaration of Independence lit response

Markeia Scruggs
September 14, 2009 2 page lit response
Upon receiving “From The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson: From The Declaration of Independence”, I expected it to be extremely boring and uninteresting. Well it was extremely boring, but I received a lot of information from it. From reading this passage, I better understand the Declaration of Independence and the need for independence. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson makes the claim that the American colonies want, need and deserve independence. Thomas Jefferson uses incredible diction and figurative language to get his point across.
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” the passage states. Thomas Jefferson’s attempt to prove his claim that the American colonies need independence was successful by writing these words. He makes it clear that the colonies have grown up and matured, in a sense, to the point in which they’re ready to walk on their own. Jefferson’s use of such strong words as political bands creates both a sense of what they feel and an image of America’s ties to England. The claim was heavily supported by this quote.
The American colonies’ hunger for independence is supported by this quote. The text states, “He has dissolved representatives houses repeatedly and continually for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.” Thomas Jefferson’s use of figurative language when saying “He has dissolved representatives houses…” gives the feeling that the British has destroyed their government. It also creates an image for the reader because he uses such words. Jefferson once again proves his claim that the American colonies want and need freedom from Britain.
Thomas Jefferson’s claim that America deserves independence from England is supported when he describes how England has taken over. The passage states, “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy unworthy the head of a civilized nation.” Thomas Jefferson’s use of strong words such as plundered, ravaged, burnt and destroyed gave an image of just how important freedom is. His diction sets a tone of anger and vengeance toward the English. This quote obviously proves that the colonies thirsted for freedo.
By using clever figurative language and incredible diction, Thomas Jefferson clearly proved his claim that the American colonies need, want and deserve freedom from English rule. By using such tactics, he was able to prove his point and clearly state his position on the subject. It is clear how and why the American colonies deserved independence.