Rhetorical Analysis

In Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention” (1775), Henry argues that it was time for the American Colonies to start preparing for war against the Queen and how Britain was oppressing their freedoms. Patrick Henry uses rhetorical questions and mythological allusions to further prove the need for war in order to gain the freedom that the American people deserve. By using rhetorical questions to interest the readers, Henry engages the audience and gains support on his call for American freedom. Writing with a prideful and dignified tone, Patrick Henry appeals to both fellow Americans and future countries that are oppressed from freedom.

Patrick Henry applies his prideful tone by including rhetorical questions in his speech. By using rhetorical questions, Henry raises awareness for the American’s desperate need from freedom. Henry asks “are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?”, in order to validate the need for war when it comes to independence from Britain. Henry forcefully answers his own rhetorical questions to display his knowledge and understanding of what it takes to regain liberty from Britain. His use of rhetorical questions is effective on his audience because the American people are tired of being controlled and are fearful of what is to come in the future. This device helps develop Henry’s prideful tone by displaying the New World’s ability to reconcile but also go great lengths to stand for freedom.

Patrick Henry uses mythological allusions to reference the dangerousness of British monarchy. When Henry says “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,”, he is referring to the British monarchy to the hazardous sirens and the American citizens as potential beasts. This effectively persuades the audience to protest against...