Read the excerpt from Thomas Paine’s work “The Crisis” No. 1.Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. . . .. . . Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose that He has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a house-breaker, has as good a pretence as he.What is the denotation of the word “bound” in this excerpt?
Here, “bound” means being forced to live under Britain’s control in every matter. Paine compares that condition to slavery, so “trapped” best conveys the word’s meaning in this context. “Connected,” “depended,” and “aided” do not fit the idea of being ruled against one’s will.
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