Saturday, 4 December 2010

The Declaration of Independence


The Declaration of Independence

Work Points: Pick the work points that you find most interesting. In the end, all work points must be discussed, though!

1. Which view of human nature is expressed in the Declaration?

2. What are the most basic rights of an American citizen and where do they come from?

3. Analyse the oppositions in the text – what values would you say, are expressed through these oppositions?

4. Pick one of the following words and explain, in your own words, its meaning(s), connotations and use:

Despotism, democracy, unalienable right, duty, necessity, colony, declaration.

5. If you did not manage to get to one of the words in 4, please find synonyms for the following words:

Endowed, instituted, transient, accustomed, evinces, constrains.


8 comments:

  1. 1 The view of human nature is freedom from oppression.
    2.The basic rights of an American are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that are endowed by their creator (God?).
    3. Happiness,sufferance - Happiness of an American citizen, sufferance of the American nation under Colonial rule; Freedom for the American people to decide for themselves, rather than be dictated to by The British.
    4. Despotism, I interpret this as a dictatorship run by a power hungry madman. EG Libya or North Korea, Gadaffi is a despot.
    5.Endowed, well here we go..... means given but can be mis-interpreted, as well endowed can mean well-equiped LOL!!!

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  2. All men are created equal by the hand of the Creator, and all men have the same rights to “life, liberty and to the pursuit of happiness”. This is in fact the foundation of the American dream. The Declaration of Independence is actually putting the King of Great Britain, as an opposition to the God given rights to this kind of life. He is described as a tyrant, and a tyrant takes away the liberty of the people. It is also described how he is sending in his army “to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny”, which are oppositions to life, happiness and liberty.

    Martin

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  3. @Dave: Why, I never... This is a serious forum for debating literature representing the history of you proud language ;)

    @Martin: Oh yes!We have on our hands an archetypical cosmic battle between good and evil. @everyone: How would that possibly affect the self perception of a new nation?

    What about the oppositions involving the people of England? (in relation to the king, to the American people and to God)

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  4. 1) The wiev og human nature is that all men are created equal.
    2) The basic rights of an American citizen is that all men are created equal and that god have given the human race the right to life,, liberty and to seek happiness. The American citizen can also throw off a government if they do not work in the interest of mankind.
    4) Despotism means tyranny and that is a regime ruled by a tyrannt. Absolute ruler.
    5) Endowed = grant
    Instituted = stipulate
    Transient = momentary/passing
    Accustomed = habitual
    Evinces = manifestation/ declaration
    Constrains = restrict/confine

    I hope it works.

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  5. @Elsebeth: I saw it - even if it disappears again.

    In a speech by John Winthrop (priest among the first pilgrims) America is described as a city upon a hill - is that in anyway supported by the Declaration?

    Does it matter that this notion of a city, visible to all the world, is taken from the Bible?

    Comment on American self perception.

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  6. 1. Which view of human nature is expressed in the Declaration?
    All men are created equal – that is the view of human nature
    2. What are the most basic rights of an American citizen and where do they come from?
    All people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
    3. Analyse the oppositions in the text – what values would you say, are expressed through these oppositions?
    Happiness, Independence, suffering, justice, freedom to speak.
    4. Pick one of the following words and explain, in your own words, its meaning(s), connotations and use:
    Despotism, democracy, unalienable right, duty, necessity, colony, declaration.
    Democracy: a system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representatives. Fair and equal treatment to everyone and their right to take part in making decisions.
    5. If you did not manage to get to one of the words in 4, please find synonyms for the following words:
    Endowed, instituted, transient, accustomed, evinces, constrains.
    Endowed=Gifted, instituted?, transient=temporary, accustomed=used to, evinces?, constrains?

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  7. Sorry that my comment is a little late, but i was having trouble finding it on the blog! :)

    Merry Christmas everyone... :)

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  8. @Maria: You are not late, no need to apologize! In fact, the discussions stay open so wee may use them as a broader perspective on what we read. So feel free to go back and forth :)

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