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Speech in the VirginiaConvention

Patrick Henry

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About the Selection

Patrick Henrys speech in theconvention played a key role in turning

colonial sentiment against negotiationwith England and toward armedrebellion.

He begins the speech with a respectfulrebuttal to the previous speeches, butthen he defends his call forindependence.

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About the Selection

Henry argues that colonists have triedevery argument but discussion is

useless in averting the coming conflict. By establishing that the British arepreparing for war, he asserts the warhas already begun, undercutting anyarguments for peaceful compliance.

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Speech

Speeches are written works that aredelivered orally.

Effective speeches include Restatement repeating an idea in a

variety of ways

Repetition repeating an idea using the

same words Parallelism repeating grammatical

structures

Rhetorical questions asking a question

whose answer is self-evident

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Diction

Diction is the choice and arrangementof words

Denotation is the dictionary definitionof the word.

Connotation is the set of associations

implied by a word in addition to itsliteral meaning.

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Persuasive Appeal

When reading a persuasive speech,one must evaluate the persuasiveappeals that the speaker makes.

Does the speaker appeal to emotion?

Does the speaker appeal to reason?

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Elevated Diction

What phrases in the opening of thespeech indicates Henrys sophisticateddiction?

No man thinks more highly than I do

I shall speak forth my sentiments in proportion to the magnitude of

the subject ought to be the freedom of

the debate.

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Purpose/Audience

What is Henrys purpose?

He is trying to persuade listeners to

fight for independence. Who is Henrys audience?

His audience is made up of Virginia

statesmen; therefore, his diction wouldmost likely be formal andsophisticated.

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Content

Does Henry agree or disagree withthose who spoke before him?

Henry disagrees with them. How does the audience know this?

But different men often see the same

subject in different lights

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Rhetorical Questions

Asking a rhetorical question is onetechnique a speaker can use in aspeech.

Because the answers to rhetoricalquestions are evident, they often stirup the emotions of listeners.

Read the last paragraph on p.188where he uses many rhetoricalquestions.

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Rhetorical Questions

What is the effect of the rhetoricalquestions Henry uses?

These questions counter any possibleargument from those who still hesitateabout going to war.

They also help to stir up theindignation and frustration of thelisteners.

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Persuasive Appeals

Besides, sir, we shall not fight ourbattles alone. There is a just God whopresides over the destinies of nationsand who will raise up friends to fightour battles for us.

Henry argues that God, who is on theside of the just, will favor their cause.

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Persuasive Appeal

How well does this religious appeal suitHenrys audience and occasion?

Listeners who foresaw theestablishment of a new nation wouldhave responded well to Henrys appeal.

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Allusions

We are apt to shut our eyes against apainful truth, and listen to the song ofthat siren till she transforms us intobeasts.

In Homers Odyssey the enchantressCirce transforms men into swine aftercharming them with her singing.

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Allusions

Are we disposed to be of the numberof those who having eyes see not, andhaving ears hear not, the things which

so nearly concern their temporalsalvation.

Ezekiel 12:2 Son of man, thou

dwellest in the midst of a rebellioushouse, which have eyes to see, but seenot, who have ears to hear, but hearnot

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Allusions

Suffer not yourselves to be betrayedwith a kiss.

Luke 22:47-48 And while yet hespoke, behold a multitude, and he thatwas called Judas, one of the twelve,went before them, and drew near untoJesus to kiss him. But Jesus said untohim, Judas, betrayest you the Son ofMan with a kiss.M

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Allusions

The battle, sir, is not to the strongalone

Ecclesiastes 9:11 The race is not tothe swift, nor the battle to the strong.

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Content

What measures, short of war, have thecolonists tried?

They have tried organizing protestsand petitioning the king for justice.

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Strong Closing

I know not what course others maytake; but as for me, give me liberty orgive me death!

Henry was deeply committed to thecause of independence. He wasbringing a death sentence on himself ifthe colonists failed to win the war. Hewas a man of courage who was willingto risk all for his beliefs.

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Rhetorical Devices

Problem-solution Argument

Charged words

Allusions biblical and mythological Elevated diction

Rhetorical questions

Strong concluding thought (modern-day sound bite)