Letter to Birmingham Jail

Vocab words

democracy- a political system... unrelenting- not ceasing in... judge- a public official... generation- all the people living at the same time... patrotism - love for one's country

Which of these words best replaces ceremony as it is used in the following passage?

formality

Which of these descriptions best conveys the shift in tone that occurs in this speech?

from passionate to determined

Which of these sentences from the speech best supports the idea that the words of the British do not match their actions?

"Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land."

Which of these sentences from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to the previous question:

"If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest."

Order these statements chronologically as they appear in the text, "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention"

1. The question before the house.. 2. we are apt to shut our eyes... 3. have we shown ourselves.... 4. I know not what course....

What is the time and place of the speech made by Patrick Henry?

1775, to the Second Virginia Convention

Which inference is best supported by the passage below (paragraph 43)? I hope the church as a whole will meet the challenge of this decisive hour. But even if the church does not come to the aid of justice, I have no despair about the future. I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood....

Dr. King is hopeful, whether or not the church decides to help.

How mainly does the author justify to the clergy his presence in Birmingham and his protest of Civil Rights? I hope you are able to see the distinction I am trying to point out. In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law....

He presents an argument about just and unjust laws.

Which of these statements best summarizes Patrick Henry's views on reaching a peaceful agreement with the British?

Making peace has been tried without success.

Which of these statements about American participation in the war most closely reflects Patrick Henry's stance in this speech? Responses

The Americans have no other choice than to fight.

Which of these inferences is best supported by the following passage from the first paragraph of the speech?

The speaker intends to speak his mind freely.

What is most closely the central idea of the passage below (paragraph 14)? Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, "Wait." But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters...

The unthinkable treatment of African Americans had made them impatient for change.

What is mainly the author's purpose when he states, "One day the South will recognize its real heroes" (paragraph 46)? I wish you had commended the Negro sit inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation. One day the South will recognize its real heroes. They will be the James Merediths, with the noble sense of purpose that....

To show the clergy that the demonstrators, and not the police, are the real heroes of the fight for civil rights

Which of these passages from the speech most strongly supports the correct answer to the previous question: Which of these statements best summarizes Patrick Henry's views on reaching a peaceful agreement with the British?

What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on."

What is most closely the meaning of disease as it is used in the following passage (paragraph 13)? We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was "well timed" in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation.

a problem causing great societal harm

What is most closely the meaning of assured in the following passage (paragraph 39)?

ada-confident

Read the following dictionary entry: generation gen•er•a•tion jenəˈrāSH(ə)n noun

all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively

Henry recounts several instances in which the colonists sought agreement and acceptable terms with the British. He reviews these incidents in order to persuade the delegates that...

all peaceful options have been tried and failed

The following passage from "A Voice" is written in the _____ tense, from a _____ point of view. You told me only once about the time you wentto the state capitol, your family proud as ifyou'd been named governor. But when you lookedaround, the only Mexican in the auditorium,

past; second person

The MAIN purpose of Patrick Henry's speech is to...

persuade his fellow delegates to fight against the British.

What is the voice and point of view that Henry is speaking in?

present-first person

The reference of St. Augustine adds to the the credibility of Dr. King's argument about just and unjust laws mainly by __________ One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all."

proving to his audience that other trusted people from history agree with him

In paragraph 1, Henry says of the colonists, "'we have prostrated ourselves before the throne.'" In this context, what does it mean to prostrate oneself?

to put oneself in a humble and submissive position