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Henry

The document analyzes Patrick Henry's speech at the Second Virginia Convention, highlighting his role as a persuasive speaker advocating for independence from Britain through war. It discusses his audience, context, and the rhetorical strategies he employed, including mythological allusions, rhetorical questions, and appeals to pathos and ethos. Henry's passionate tone and respectful approach aimed to convince influential figures of the necessity of armed resistance against British rule.

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zuiwong317
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2 views

Henry

The document analyzes Patrick Henry's speech at the Second Virginia Convention, highlighting his role as a persuasive speaker advocating for independence from Britain through war. It discusses his audience, context, and the rhetorical strategies he employed, including mythological allusions, rhetorical questions, and appeals to pathos and ethos. Henry's passionate tone and respectful approach aimed to convince influential figures of the necessity of armed resistance against British rule.

Uploaded by

zuiwong317
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Wong, Zui

Menendez, Allison
Costales, Christiaan
Period 5
1/7/25

Patrick Henry
SPACECAT
0
1
SPEAKER
Speaker: Patrick
Henry
• Great orator
(speaker)
• He played a vital
role in promoting a
war for
independence
against Britain
• Member of the First
Continental
Congress
0
2
PURPOSE
• Convince the members
of the Second Virginia
Convention that the best
course of action is to
fight against Great
Britain and earn
independence through
war.
0
3
AUDIENCE
• Men who attended the
Second Virginia Congress
in Richmond; these men
were rich, property-
owning whites
• Some relevant audience
members include George
Washington and Thomas
Jefferson, among the
nation’s most influential
founding fathers.
0
4
CONTEXT
• Second Virginia Convention
took place in Richmond in
spring of 1785
• Colonists were having issues
with Britain, including:
• British Quartering Act
• Boston Tea Party
• Boston Massacre
• Colonist Riots
• Up until this point, the colonists
have been unsuccessfully
trying to peacefully petition for
independence
0
5
EXIGENCE
• The Second Virginia
Convention in Richmond
was going to occur.
• People that could support
a war effort were going
to be present.
• British soldiers were
being quartered in
colonists’ homes.
• British blockade in
Boston Harbor.
• Petitions up until then
had been unsuccessful.
0
6
MESSAGE
• Henry’s message is that
the colonists’ only hope to
achieve independence and
freedom is to go to war
with Britain.
0
7

CHOICE 1: MYTHOLOGICAL ALLUSION


“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.” (Henry
32)
• Compares the British to
sirens
• Warns against “shutting
eyes” to the truth; the
colonists must realize that
staying under British rule is
only putting them in more
danger, similar to listening
to the sirens’ song
• Comparing to well-known
myth allows audience to
make connections on their
declining situation and
realize the need for action
0
8

CHOICE 2: RHETHORICAL QUESTION


“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?” (Henry 33)
• Questions make audience
think about the
motivations of the British
placing ships in the Boston
Harbor.
• Henry’s questions show
that a peaceful resolution
is in direct contrast with
British actions restraining
colonies
• Further shows that
peaceful resolution is
unrealistic; war is the only
0
9
APPEAL 1: PATHOS
“Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and
when a British guard shall be stationed in
every house? Shall we gather strength by
irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the
means of effectual resistance by lying supinely
on our back and hugging the delusive phantom
of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us
hand and foot?” (Henry 33)
• Henry invokes fear in the
audience about the dark
future that awaits them if
they remain under British
rule.
• Henry’s description of
future possibilities under
Britain further pushes
colonists to desire war, as
they are fearful of these
outcomes and an eventual
loss of freedom entirely
1
0
APPEAL 2: ETHOS
“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 the future but by the past.”
(Henry 32)
• Stating that he only guides
himself on past
occurrences adds
credibility to Henry’s
argument
• Knowing that Henry bases
his decisions and opinions
only on history, the
audience is more likely to
believe his desires of war
to be the best, most
practical option
1
1
TONE 1: RESPECTFUL
“No man thinks more highly than I do of the
patriotism as well as abilities, of the very
worthy gentlemen who have just addressed
the House. But different men often see the
same subject in different lights; and,
therefore, I hope it will not be thought
disrespectful to those gentlemen…” (Henry
32)
• Henry uses a respectful
tone to gain the audience’s
attention and favor before
beginning his argument
• By showing his respect
toward others (even those
with opposing views)
Henry draws listeners to
acknowledge and respect
his judgements, further
creating the possibility of
support for his wish for war
1
2
TONE 2: PASSIONATE
“Our chains are forged! Their clanking
may be heard on the plains of Boston!
The war is inevitable － and let it come! I
repeat it, sir, let it come!” (Henry 33)
• Henry’s passionate tone best
demonstrates the urgency of
the situations and his strong
emotional attachment to the
colonies
• By showing he is affected
deeply for the injustice the
colonies are facing, Henry
draws the audience to agree
with his arguments for war, as
he truly cares about the
future wellbeing of the
colonies
• Also, by accepting the war as
“inevitable,” Henry draws his
audience to do the same
THANK YOU

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