English Quiz 2
When did Henry give his speech at the Virginia Convention?
April 19, 1775
What appeal did Paine use most?
Emotional
Where was Thomas Paine born?
England
Adversary
opponent
How will the Americans be consoled for their hardships?
Americans will receive a much larger triumph for their many hardships. Freedom will be theirs.
In the third paragraph, how had "the lamp of experience" affected Henry's views about the British?
From Henry's experience, he knows that the British do not follow through with what they say and more so, don't mean what they say. If they haven't meant what they have said in the past, they won't now. The British can't be trusted.
How is the overall effectiveness of Henry's speech dependent upon his style? What elements of style - word choice, figurative language, rhetorical questions - are most effective in his speech? Explain.
He very sarcastic. Henry uses rhetorical questions very well. He almost belittles people. His word choice was very effective.
Why does Henry believe it is useless to "cry peace"?
Henry believes that it's useless to "cry peace" because Britain is not going to listen to their pleas. If Britain hasn't followed through with what they have said before, they most likely won't now. They have been crying peace for a long time and nothing had happened.
What does Henry believe is the issue at the heart of the debate?
Henry believes the issue at the heart of the debate is that they need to go to war. They had tried everything else they can and they have no other choice left, but to go to war.
What does Henry foresee happening if the country does not fight Britain?
Henry foresees slavery in the future for the country if they do not fight Britain. Britain will completely take them over.
Writers' styles can be defined in part by their use of imagery. What images appear at the beginning of the essay, and how do these images relate to the author's overall purpose?
It creates almost an awful image in my head. I see starving men with almost no will to fight anymore. Thomas Paine really shows how hard the times were.
What do you need to persuade someone?
Logical and emotional appeal
Consider these lines from Paine's essay: "Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but to trade with them" (page 133). Do these lines reflect America's situation today? Explain.
No, America definitely has a lot of problems. We're not just a bunch of happy people.
. Because his audience was familiar with the Bible and classical mythology, Henry knew certain allusions would be effective. Find two allusions in Henry's speech. How would each allusion relate to the conflicts in Virginia in 1775?
Page 123-124 "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." - This relates because Britain is almost like the sirens, trying to sing a sweet beautiful song to lure colonists in, but in the end be lured in by them is not good. Britain is tricking us. Betrayed with a kiss- Judas betrayed Jesus
What Do You Think Now? How do you think Paine influenced people's beliefs about the war? Cite specific examples from the text
Paine influenced people's beliefs about the war by using emotional appeal. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." This would really touch the soldiers because everyone wants to be loved and thanked by the people of their country. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." This would have really encouraged them to finish out the war. Everyone wants to win and so this would encourage them to keep going. If you're always on defense then you can't ever gain any ground. This isn't something that isn't going to be over quickly.
Why does Paine say that General Howe is "the greatest enemy the Tories have?
Paine states that General Howe is "the greatest enemy the Tories have" because he has put his country in a situation of war when they could have avoided it from the beginning. He is destroying their land.
What is Paine's main purpose for writing The Crisis? What do you think are the most powerful details supporting that purpose?
Paine's main purpose for writing The Crisis was to convince the soldiers to not give up now when it was hard. He was trying to convince them to finish the fight. It also wasn't just for soldiers; it was also for the people at home who were supporting them. The anecdote. The militia.
What figurative language did Patrick Henry use?
Rhetorical questions, allusions - Judas's betrayal; sea maidens would lure in sailors and they would die metaphors - storm
What metaphors does Henry use in the fourth paragraph? How do these metaphors contribute to his purpose?
Storm- the British, the war is coming Chains - the laws that Britain will enforce
Henry makes use of rhetorical questions - questions that are asked for effect. Find the series of rhetorical questions in the fifth paragraph. How do they make Henry's speech more persuasive?
The rhetorical questions almost make it look like you are dumb. He shows people that if you aren't thinking the same way that he is, you're wrong. Makes the answer so obvious. Answer makes them uncomfortable.
Evaluate A metaphor compares two unlike things without using comparison words such as like or as. Explain the following metaphor: "Though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire" (page 133). Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
This metaphor is saying that even in rough times when they think the have lost it all, they still have a little chance left. I agree with this idea because in most situations in life, you are able to turn them around if they are bad. Everyone wants freedom.
Why does Paine believe that God will favor the Americans over the British?
Thomas believes that the King has wronged his country by putting this war upon them. He says that they are only left at the care of the devil now. He's so bad that he can't even pray to God now. The King is a bad as a thief and murderer.
How has Henry interpreted Britain's enlarging of its navies and armies?
War is coming and there is nothing they can do to avoid it. Britain is already for war and we aren't
Many of Paine's statements are memorable and moving. Which statements might still encourage people to face conflicts? Why?
When Paine talks about the anecdote between the father and son, it would have probably hit home for a lot of fathers. It would encourage them to fight for peace for their children. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." This would encourage many of them to face the conflicts at the time because no one was to be referred to as a coward. The soldiers wanted the thanks from the colonists, and if they got through this, then they deserved it.
Persuasion involves that use of logical and emotional appeals to sway an audience. Why would Henry use both types of appeals?
When he is using emotional appeal, it really hits home for people,or "tugs at their heart strings"; but people are smarter than to just rely on their emotions alone. When he uses logical appeal, he doesn't just make it hit home, me makes it make sense. Everyone is different, different appels affect different groups of people.
Solace
comfort
Tyranny
cruel use of power
Eloquence
expressive graceful manner of speech
Pretense
false claim
Where was Patrick Henry born?
frontier region of Virginia
Relinquished
given up
Impious
irreverent
Avert
prevent; turn away
Spurned
rejected
Dominion
rule; the right to govern
Insidious
sly; sneaky
What was Patrick Henry's true calling?
the law
What greatly influenced Patrick Henry's style?
the sermons he listened to when he was young
Vigilant
those who are watchful
Inviolate
uncorrupted
Ravage
violent destruction