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Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry

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Patrick Henry uses a metaphor to easily convey and emphasize the restrictions of the British Parliament when addressing the Virginia Conference in 1775. Henry begins his speech by using flattery to ensure the attention of his audience, many of whom were weary of the radical thoughts of Henry. Henry then progresses into the idea of ignorance relating it directly to the American people ignoring the British government’s totalitarianism. Henry, then, boldly states Americans are “apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth.” Henry says this to express his annoyance to those who are ignoring what to him is a major problem. Henry firmly believes the British government is far too oppressive and while we have done everything from petitioning to pleading

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