1a. According to Henry, what is the only way to arrive at truth?
2a. What evidence suggests strongly to Henry that Britain means to wage war "to force us to submission"?
3a. What is Henry's response to the possibility that war may break out soon?
4a. Compare the colonists' and the British authorities' attempts to resolve the conflict in the colonies.
5a. Compare the Six Nations' speaker's speech as reported by Benjamin Franklin in "Remarks Concerning the Natives of North America" on page 178 with Patrick Henry's Speech in the Virginia Convention. Which is more diplomatic? Why? What is the purpose of each speech, to persuade or to inform? How can you tell?
1b. Why does Henry feel he must speak out in opposition to the previous speakers who urged moderation and the maintenance of a peaceful attitude toward Britain?
2b. Why does Henry distrust the "insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received"?
3b. What does Henry see as the unthinkable alternative to war?
4b. What British actions would probably have appeased Henry so that he would not have called for war?
5b. What groups of people in the world news today seem to agree with Henry's declaration that death is preferable to a life where no liberty exists?
Rhetorical Questions. Make a chart, listing four rhetorical questions from Henry's speech on the left and the anwers he assumes on the right. One example has been done for you.
1a.
Enlightenment. Review the definition for the Enlightenment in the Handbook of Literary Terms. Look for indications in this speech that Patrick Henry participated in this movement and that he was familiar with classical rhetoric. (a) Where does he support the importance of using reason as a guide to action? (b) The scientific method calls for hypothesizing and predicting, experimenting to test the hypothesis, and basing further action on the results of the experiments. What hypothesis have the previous speakers presented with regard to the political situation in the colonies? What "experimental results" does Henry report? What prediction does he make based on observable phenomena?
1. Make a list of the steps in Henry's argument.
2. Imagine that you are a loyalist who wants Great Britain to retain control of the colonies. Write your own speech to loyalist sympathizers, detailing Henry's treasonous remarks in his Speech in the Virginia Convention.
3. Imagine that, as a newspaper reporter, you attended the Virginia Convention the day that Patrick Henry gave his speech. Write a newspaper article summarizing Henry's speech and describing the reaction of the representatives.
Functions of Sentences. Identify the functions of each of the following sentences from Patrick Henry's speech.
1. Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.
2. This is no time for ceremony.
3. And what have we to oppose to them?
4. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!
5. Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath.
Taking Minutes. Imagine that you are the secretary for the Virginia Convention. Write the minutes for Patrick Henry's speech.
Petition. With a partner, play the roles of a petitioner and an authority figure. As the petitioner, identify the rights that you seek and explain why you decerve them. As the authority figure, explain why you will or will not grant those rights to the petitioner.
Television Commercial. Write a television commercial to arouse support from the colonists for King George III.
