the+super+Speech+in+Virginia+Convention



When Patrick Henry delivered this speech in 1775, America was not America yet. The 13 colonies were still controlled by the most powerful nation in the world: Britain. After being taxed repeatedly by England, the colonists held the Virginia Conventions to discuss what they were going to do about England. In this speech, Patrick Henry delivers a powerful speech which convinces the candidates to rebel against Britain.

[|SpeechText]

How does Patrick Henrys use of rhetorical questions emphasize his persuasive goal?

"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir."

"__They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.__"

How do you think Henry feels about the British according to his choice of diction in the underline sentences?

Why do you think Henry mentions the part about experience in the beginning of the paragraph?

"Are we disposed to be of the number of those who having eyes see not, and having ears hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?” (188)

-The quote above shows a rhetorical question made by Henry asking whether they should have a say in their society.

"We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable..."(188) "What terms shall we find that have not already been exhasted?"(188)

-These two are Restatements in by which Henry is saying that all has been said that can be said.

[|The House]