Speech to the Virginia Convention - Patrick Henry Part 1: Rhetorical Question "Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconcilation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?" - Paragraph 3 Part 2: Allusion "Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss....Let us not deceive ourselves, sir." - Paragraph 2 Patrick Henry was a revolutionary orator advocating for the independence in Virginia during the 1700's. In "the Speech to the Virginia Convention," Henry implored the audience to seriously consider preparing Virginia for the imminent revolution.
Just those two allusions are enough to convince a right-minded human, but Banneker goes on in his rhetorical use. Before Benjamin talks about Job, he uses a slew of hortative sentences. He is calling Thomas Jefferson to action, urging him to stand up and do something about the inhumanity that was slavery, just as he did before with Britain and the Revolution. "Wean yourselves from those narrow prejudices which
He told them that as colonist they faced either freedom or slavery. As Henry’s speech continued he became very passionate. His eyes were glaring and his face became very pale as he attempted to get his point across to everyone within the church. Judge Tucker described the scene saying, “Imagine that you had heard a voice as from heaven uttering the words, 'We must fight.' as the doom of Fate.” Henry continued his speech saying, “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?” By saying this, perhaps he was making the point that if the British wanted peace they would not have their warships ready.
Henry pleads with the people to not deceive them. In the remaining paragraphs of Henry’s speech, reasons are given as to why he supposes that war is not only unavoidable but that it had actually already begun. In doing everything to avert the situation at hand, they were now prostrated in attempting reconciliation to England. Even though they had taken this position of the matter, England acted in response with tyrannical hands toward them. Henry viewed this response as violent and an insult.
In Document A, the Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms, it is written that the American people feel they have been wronged by England because their rights are restricted and wish for these basic rights to happiness and such. With Document B, Thomas Paine writes in Common Sense that to obtain these rights the Americans so desire they must go to war with Britain first to drive Britain out of America so they can have the capacity to make their laws and rights just how they would like. In the words of Thomas Paine, “tis time to part.” In Document E, a letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, Abigail asked that when making decisions that the political representatives took women into account. She also warned against letting males’ natural tyrannical nature get the best of them in their decision making. Once the Americans got rid of the British, they could move forward and give people their rights.
He also plays on the emotions, or the pathos of the audience by stating “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” (Kennedy) At the time, it seemed the entire world was fearful of nuclear war. This may have come across to many as evoking fear into those who do not stand for what he believes Americans stand for. He also uses words such as “we” and “my fellow Americans” in an attempt to tie himself to the audience. His tone was stern, his words chosen carefully, as to not speak over the heads of the audience, but to talk with them. On can not help but notice the Boston accent.
Paine says “And however our eyes may be dazzled with show, or our ears deceived by sound, however prejudice may warp our wills, or interest darken our understanding, the simple voice of nature and reason will say, ‘tis right” (Paine). Though the language is made to play on the reader’s emotions, it illustrates the negative aspects of continued alliance with England. Paine uses his idealism to convince people that things need to change and even though England has a long and illustrious history we mustn’t look back towards them for answers but instead towards the
To begin with, lets discuss the famous William Bradford who wrote, “Of Plymouth Plantation," this literature piece discusses his experience traveling to the new world and early colonial life in America. His commentary shares views of the separatists’ religious beliefs. One example, where religion shapes his literature would have to be, "when God intercedes to assist the pilgrims on their way, such as when sailors who mistreat them are punished through illness or death. “There was a proud and very profane man…he would …condemning the poor people…but it please God…to smite this young man with a grievous disease” (Baym 61). Bradford goes on to write “praise the Lord, because He is good, and His mercies endure forever…let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor” (Baym 61).
Lincoln is preaching that we cannot pass God’s judgement upon others without first thinking about how God would judge us. In addition, Lincoln goes on to explain that the south and the north were expecting God to gift them different outcomes than the outcomes the end of the war brought because neither side can enjoy a complete sense of satisfaction. Consequently, Lincoln emphasizes that almighty God has his own will and the end result of the civil war is what God had planned instead of what the North or South had hoped for. Lincoln’s mentioning of God through out his speech is his way of relating to the American people by ensuring them that he is a religious man himself, by stating that he reads his bible every day and
Patriotisms rhetoric effect of complying with what your country asks you or suffer the label of being unpatriotic generally does push Americans to comply with its country but Muhammad Ali decided to take the other road. Ali’s path was rough, dark, and bumpy. Patriotism rhetoric persuades Americans to join the army and comply with its government because Americans want to be portrayed as patriotic and be