Patrick Henry's Speech

Name: Hour: Patrick Henry’s Speech in the Virginia Convention (262-263) Answer each question with complete sentences. 1. Read the section labeled “Build Background: Heading Toward War” a. Why did the First Continental Congress meet in Philadelphia in 1774? What was their purpose? b. Patrick Henry gave his speech in order to convince the delegates to agree with his opinion. What was his opinion? c. Many of the delegates who attended this meeting probably disagreed with Henry’s opinion. Why might some people disagree with Henry? Why might Henry’s advice frighten them or make them uncomfortable? 2. Henry begins his speech by stating his respect for the previous speakers, a technique called “concession to the opposition.” Why does he state his respect for them even though he disagrees with their viewpoints? How might this affect his audience? 3. Fill in the blanks: “For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of ____________________ or ____________________…” (263). What is Henry referring to when he says “it”? 4. Henry juxtaposes1 God as the “majesty of heaven” with “earthly kings” (referring to King George III of England). What kind of appeal does this create? Circle one: Emotional (pathos) Ethical (ethos) Logical (logos) Explain: 5. Henry uses many allusions in his speech. Allusions are references to ideas, people, and literature that automatically create a response from the audience. Allusions are most effective when an audience is familiar with the reference. Today, an audience would quickly recognize a reference to “Team Jacob” or “Team Edward.” They would also understand a speaker’s meaning if she said, “We’re not in Kansas anymore!” They might also chuckle if someone stretched out his arms while on board a boat and shouted, “I’m the king of the world!” These references, however, will fade with time, puzzling people 200 years from now. Patrick Henry’s audience was very well educated and familiar with the Bible and Greek literature. To understand Henry’s allusions, you might have to use the GUIDE FOR READING on the right side of each page. a. What is the purpose of Henry’s reference to the “song of that siren”? (see note 20) 1 Juxtapose- to emphasize the differences of two ideas by placing them side by side b. Henry references Ezekiel 12:2 from The Bible when he says, “having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not…” (264). This Bible passage warns that those who can’t see and can’t hear the truth about God will lose their spiritual salvation. How does Henry hope that this reference will affect his readers? What is his purpose? c. What kind of gesture is a kiss? What is it supposed to represent? (Look at the GUIDE FOR READING note 35.) Jesus eventually was brought to death because Judas identified him by kissing him on the cheek. What is Henry trying to say about the British soldiers? 6. What does Henry say is the reason for the British military buildup in America? 7. Henry lists all of the ways the colonists have tried working with the British up until now through rhetorical questions. What are some of the ways in which the colonists have tried to work things out without going to war, according to Henry? 8. What is Henry’s purpose for listing all of the ways the colonists have already tried to work things out with the British? What does he want his audience to realize? 9. What is Henry trying to convince his listeners to do in lines 72-75? 10. Henry knows that some of his listeners will disagree with his stance. He says, “They tell us, sir, that we are weak…” (266). Why would he bring up this argument if he is trying to argue against it? 11. What is Henry’s response to the argument that they are too weak to fight the British? 12. Henry asks many questions in the last paragraph. Are these questions answerable? If not, what is their purpose? 13. Rewrite the last sentence in your own words.