Scribd
Upload
61 views

Hiawathaanalysisquestions

Hiawatha gives a speech to convince the leaders of other Native American tribes to unite and form the Iroquois Confederation. He describes the similarities between the tribes, their individual strengths, and the benefits of alliance. Hiawatha uses emotional language like "friendship" and "enslaved" to persuade the leaders. The goal of his speech is to have the tribes join the Iroquois Confederation by comparing their differences but emphasizing their shared dangers.

Uploaded by

api-282771226
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
61 views

Hiawathaanalysisquestions

Hiawatha gives a speech to convince the leaders of other Native American tribes to unite and form the Iroquois Confederation. He describes the similarities between the tribes, their individual strengths, and the benefits of alliance. Hiawatha uses emotional language like "friendship" and "enslaved" to persuade the leaders. The goal of his speech is to have the tribes join the Iroquois Confederation by comparing their differences but emphasizing their shared dangers.

Uploaded by

api-282771226
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Analysis of Hiawathas We Must Unite Ourselves Speech

Hiawatha. We Must Unite Ourselves. ca. 1559. Great American Speeches. Ed. Alexandra
Hanson-Harding. New York, NY: n/a. 9-10. Print.
In his speech, Hiawatha convinces the other Native American tribe leaders to unite and
create the Iroquois Confederation by speaking based off of the tribes similarities, their
individual strengths, the benefits that would come due to the alliance, and the destruction that
would befall the tribes. He uses key words such as friendship or enslaved in order to trigger
emotional responses within the audience as an effort to fully convince the leaders. The purpose
of his speech is to persuade the other tribe leaders into joining the Iroquois Confederation and in
doing so he takes on a strong and passionate tone. This speech is a reference of inspiration, by
comparing and contrasting the tribes differences but bringing to their attention of the similar
danger they face, he allows a deep understanding between himself and his audience.

Questions:
1. Why do you think Hiawatha went to the trouble of describing each nations
special qualities?
I believe Hiawatha goes to the trouble of describing each nations special qualities
because he is trying to establish his respect for each nations leader and their peoples. He also
uses it as a point of persuasion because he is naming what each nation brings to the table in a
sense, therefore making each leader more keen on the idea of banding together to face their
common enemy.
2. What does the speech teach that might prompt Iroquois elders to memorize it and pass it along
to their young, long after Hiawathas death?
The speech makes a point about harmony and individuality; that although you may have
your differences with someone it is more beneficial and better in the long run to put aside the
differences and focus more on the similarities between yourself and the person you are at odds
with.

You might also like