Question

In at least 150 words, explain the tone of the address before the Virginia Congress. Use evidence from the speech to support your response.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention” was so effectively crafted that it ultimately led to the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Though powerful words, pathos, and logos, Henry’s speech was able to instill a vehement, earnest, seductive tone in his audience.

Henry’s speech can easily be classified as earnest because he truly believes the messages he preaches. He fears for the prosperity of his home country as England slowly begins to take control of the American colonies. Henry’s trepidations are what sculpt the earnest fear he has for his country. His feelings are alarming yet at the same time consoling to the citizens. It is important that the people understand the desperate circumstances their country is in, but when stating his concern, he comforts his audience by offering solutions to the dilemma: “We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable […] If we wish to be free […] we must fight!” (“Speech to the Virginia Convention” 82).

Patrick Henry also conveys a seductive tone by posing rhetorical questions which make the listeners think about what they truly want for their future. His speech is so well worded that he is able to draw the audience in closer and closer with each word he speaks. His seductive tone is critical to the success of his speech because without it, the listeners would be emotionally detached from his argument. Henry entices his audience by proclaiming, “For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery […] It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country” (81).

Although Henry’s speech could be classified as having an earnest, seductive tone, the dominant tone would be best described as vehement. No matter what Henry says, he always proclaims everything with great emphasis and passion. Henry’s tone is evident when he asks the audience, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! […] give me liberty or give me death!” (83). When proclaiming those words, it is possible to visualize Henry standing before a crowd screaming for freedom though war. The success of Patrick Henry’s speech is mainly due to the enticing, enthusiastic tone that was conveyed to his listeners.

Answer 2

Answer:

The tone of Patrick Henry’s speech titled “Speech in the Virginia Convention” can be broken down into five separate parts. The first part is diction; Henry’s diction can be seen as polite and powerful. This can be seen in the way he uses polite phrases like gentlemen and worthy. Both these two words convey a feeling of politeness. Although he he does have a polite word choice, he also uses powerful words in order to evoke emotions. The words that he uses to display this are insidious and submission. Both these examples of powerful words help to convey Henry’s emotions. The next part that helps in describing the tone of this piece can be seen in Henry’s imagery. Henry tries to use frightful imagery in order to draw the reader in. This can be seen when he talks of the vast British fleets and the redcoats. These images help to both instill fear into the reader and draw their attention. The third part that helps in describing the tone of this passage can be seen in the details of the speech. Henry tries to use morals and ethics in order to make his idea seem correct. This can be seen in the way he describes all of the action that we took in order to prevent conflict, and he also goes on about how the Americas keep on appeasing the king, This in turn further keeps his argument logical. the fourth way that Henry’s tone can be described can be by looking at the language he used. Henry used a concrete type of language in order to get his point across. Examples of this language can be seen when he addresses the assembly in a way that is polite, but at the same time is to the point. The last part that describes Henry’s tone can be seen in his syntax. Throughout this speech he uses exclamation marks to convey his emotionally charged words. This in turn adds to the overall feel of the speech, and it also makes it seem more lively. Overall, the tone of this piece is accusatory. This can be seen in the way that he is to the point and suggests a problem that needs to be dealt with.

Explanation:

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