ENA - Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine

Ambiguity and Irony 

In a section of his autobiography not included in this module, Benjamin Franklin describes his attempts to learn how to discuss matters of importance without being too forceful or aggressive. He writes, "I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradictions to the sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of my own. I even forbade myself the use of every word or expression in the language that imported a fixed opinion, such as 'certainly', 'undoubtedly', etc. I adopted instead of them 'I conceive', 'I apprehend', or 'I imagine' a thing to be so or so; or 'so it appears to me at present' [...] I soon found the advantage of this change in my manner; the conversations I engaged in went on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I proposed my opinions procured them a readier reception and less contradiction."

While this approach may have worked for Franklin and is good advice for most of us today, it is fortunate for the United States that the two leaders in this lesson did not subscribe to this approach. Without the forceful, and at times aggressive, rhetoric of Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine, there may never have been the United States of America.

 

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry, 1736-1799, was one of the U.S. founding fathers and is most remembered for his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" speech. Here is a brief overview of his life:

Patrick Henry was a famous player in the Revolution - most known for his fiery protest speeches. He was also the Governor of Virginia.

 

"Speech to Virginia Convention"

The most famous speech of the American Revolution was Patrick Henry's "Speech to the Virginia Convention." He delivered this speech in March 1775 to the Second Virginia Provincial Convention, speaking after other leaders argued for reconciliation with the British monarch. His closing words: "I know not course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death": have since become a symbol of American Independence. To give you a sense of the timing of this speech, the battles of Lexington & Concord took place less than a month after Henry delivered it.

 

Reading Assignment

As you listen to Henry's "Speech to Virginia Convention," please read along with the text. In this speech, Henry is trying to convince congress that it is now time to go to war with Great Britain. As you read, please pick out examples of rhetoric that make his speech especially persuasive. This will help you with future assignments.

Henry's "Speech to Virginia Convention" Text Link Links to an external site.

 

Thomas Paine

One of the loudest rallying cries for American independence and a new, republican form of government came from Thomas Paine (1737-1809), an Englishman who spent only 13 years in the American colonies.

Here are some basic facts about Paine's life:

A key figure in the Revolution, Thomas Paine published a famous pamphlet called Common Sense. Another of his famous works is about The Rights of Man.

 

What made Paine so persuasive? His writing is passionate and uses simple, direct words that seem to be spoken to the common man. This is different from the style of most Enlightenment philosophers, who built logical arguments in painstakingly detailed steps.

 

Common Sense

In writing about the need for independence from Britain, Paine was able to capture what the colonists had felt but had been unable to think. Before his Common Sense, almost all colonists were focused on reform of Britain's governance. 120,000+ copies of Common Sense were sold, and colonists began thinking about independence instead.

The American Crisis

  1. Series of 16 pamphlets that were read to and inspired Washington's troops
  2. Morale was so restored that most soldiers reenlisted and six days later, the army had its first victory at Trenton.
  3. The essay was printed and given to every new recruit.

Reading Assignment

Please read excerpts from Paine's Common Sense and "Crisis No. 1,"  the first in his series of American Crisis pamphlets. These texts are linked below. As you read, please pick out examples of rhetoric that make these texts especially persuasive. This will help you with future assignments.

Common Sense Text Link Links to an external site.

Crisis No. 1 Text Link Links to an external site.

Crisis No. 1 Audio Link Below

 

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