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Rhetorical Devices In Patrick Henry's Speech

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In the speech, “Speech in the Virginia Convention” created in March 23, 1775; Patrick Henry had the difficult task of convincing loyalist colonists to fight against the throne in order to gain their freedom and independence. Henry uses several rhetorical strategies in his speech to convince the colonists such as rhetorical questions, metaphors, and imagery throughout his speech which made him successful in persuading his fellow colonists to fight for their freedom. Patrick Henry uses rhetorical questions throughout his speech to get the Virginia Convention to think of the obvious and wrong doings that England has done to them in order to get the loyalists on his side. “Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be …show more content…
“We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth…” (263). Now Henry is starting to speak to them on a friendlier base, he speaks to them as a friend and as a fellow man who understands the ways of others. Henry reminds them that it’s in man’s nature to rather hear a lie than the truth, he let’s them know that it’s okay that they have made those mistakes but now that they realize their mistake, they must fix it. They must now open their eyes and see the nothing but the full truth. “Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.” (264). Henry is now directly telling them to ask themselves how their peaceful petitions compare with soldiers ready to fight with war ships over the bay. This quote is to directly state to the men that now is the time to fight because England will not cease until they get their way. When hearing this, the men of the convention will think to themselves that yes, today is the day to fight if I want a better future for my family and myself. This would inspire anyone with the right mind to sign up. This would make anyone think of the clear wrong doing on England’s part. This would make anyone want to stand up and fight for what they believe in no matter the costs because at the end

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