Speech in the Virginia Convention

Patrick Henry

About the Selection

Patrick Henrys speech in the convention played a key role in turning colonial sentiment against negotiation with England and toward armed rebellion. He begins the speech with a respectful rebuttal to the previous speeches, but then he defends his call for independence.

About the Selection

Henry argues that colonists have tried every argument but discussion is useless in averting the coming conflict. By establishing that the British are preparing for war, he asserts the war has already begun, undercutting any arguments for peaceful compliance.

Speech
Speeches are written works that are delivered 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

Diction
Diction is the choice and arrangement of words Denotation is the dictionary definition of the word. Connotation is the set of associations implied by a word in addition to its literal meaning.

Persuasive Appeal
When reading a persuasive speech, one must evaluate the persuasive appeals that the speaker makes. Does the speaker appeal to emotion? Does the speaker appeal to reason?

Elevated Diction
What phrases in the opening of the speech indicates Henrys sophisticated diction? 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.

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 would most likely be formal and sophisticated.

Content
Does Henry agree or disagree with those 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

Rhetorical Questions
Asking a rhetorical question is one technique a speaker can use in a speech. Because the answers to rhetorical questions are evident, they often stir up the emotions of listeners. Read the last paragraph on p.188 where he uses many rhetorical questions.

Rhetorical Questions
What is the effect of the rhetorical questions Henry uses? These questions counter any possible argument from those who still hesitate about going to war. They also help to stir up the indignation and frustration of the listeners.

Persuasive Appeals
Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. Henry argues that God, who is on the side of the just, will favor their cause.

Persuasive Appeal
How well does this religious appeal suit Henrys audience and occasion? Listeners who foresaw the establishment of a new nation would have responded well to Henrys appeal.

Allusions
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. In Homers Odyssey the enchantress Circe transforms men into swine after charming them with her singing.

Allusions
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. Ezekiel 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not

Allusions
Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Luke 22:47-48 And while yet he spoke, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest you the Son of Man with a kiss.M

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

Content
What measures, short of war, have the colonists tried? They have tried organizing protests and petitioning the king for justice.

Strong Closing
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Henry was deeply committed to the cause of independence. He was bringing a death sentence on himself if the colonists failed to win the war. He was a man of courage who was willing to risk all for his beliefs.

Rhetorical Devices
Problem-solution Argument Charged words Allusions biblical and mythological Elevated diction Rhetorical questions Strong concluding thought (modernday sound bite)