Lecture Notes for unit 5

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I. Text Introduction

\speech he made in a court hearing on March 23, 1775, at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, and is credited with having swung the balance in convincing the Virginia House of Burgesses to pass a resolution delivering the Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War. A forceful argumentative essay, this text conveys the speaker's viewpoints and sentiments clearly, convincingly, and impressively.

The last sentence, which has now become a famous and frequently-quoted saying throughout the world, declares the speaker's attitude toward life and freedom.

II. Culture Notes

1. the house (Paragraph 1)? House of Burgesses, the representative assembly of colonial

Virginia. The earliest of the American assemblies, the House of Burgesses first met on July 30, 1619, in Jamestown, Virginia. The burgesses were elected and had the right to create legislation, but the governor and the council could veto it. The House of Burgesses developed in part the idea of self-government and trained colonial leaders such as George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson.

2. Siren (Paragraph 2) ? Sirens, or sea nymphs in Greek mythology, are sometimes described

as having the body of a bird and the head of a woman. The Sirens had such sweet voices that sailors hearing their songs were lured into grounding their boats on the rocks on which the nymphs sang. In Homer's Odyssey the enchantress Circe charms men with her song and then turns them into swine.

III. Author

Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799) served as the first post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779. A prominent figure in the American Revolution, Henry is known and remembered for his \

IV. Structural Analysis

The text can be divided into four parts.

Part 1

(1) presents some background information, telling us about the orator's motive for his speech Part 2 (2-4) points out the cruel truth about reality

Part 3

(5-7) expresses the speaker's sentiments eloquently or persuasively Part 4

(8) draws attention to the actual situation and urgently calls on the American people to fight for freedom

Section Three Detailed Reading

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GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH

Patrick Henry

1. Mr. President: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same object in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining, as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery. And in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

2. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. 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. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who having eyes see not, and having ears hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I'm willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it.

3. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. 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? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation — the last arguments to which kings resort.

4. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.

5. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to

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entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not already been exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.

6. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned with contempt from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained — we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

7. They tell us, sir, that we are weak — unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanging may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable — and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

8. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, \— but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

I. Analysis

Paragraph 1 Analysis The first paragraph, the beginning of the text, immediately attracts the audience's attention. The speaker first expresses his opinion of the gentlemen and prepares his audience for a drastically different position from that of the gentlemen. Next, he refers to the question before

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the house as one of freedom or slavery. Then, he mentions the motive for the expression of his opinions.

Paragraphs 2- 4 Analysis These three paragraphs, the second part of the text, dramatically present the real situation America is faced with. The speaker urges the gentlemen to admit the reality and advises them not to deceive themselves. He indirectly mentions what the British Ministry has done for the last ten years and clearly conveys his view about the dangerous situation. He intends to disillusion the house of gentlemen and open their eyes to the cruel reality.

Paragraphs 5-7 Analysis These paragraphs constitute the third part of this eloquent speech. The orator first eloquently drives it home that it is pointless to further argue about the subject and to continue to resort to entreaty and humble supplication, that it is futile to entertain the fond hope of peace and reconciliation, and that Americans must appeal to arms and fight for freedom. Next, the speaker argues against the misconception that America is weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. Then, he argues for his firm belief that America is bound to win.

Paragraph 8 Analysis The last paragraph, the last part of the speech, impressively describes the urgent situation and asserts the orator's attitude toward life and freedom. In addition, it calls on people to fight heroically and dare to sacrifice for freedom.

II. Questions for Paragraphs

Paragraph 1: Question

Why does the speaker think that he should express his opinions boldly?

To the speaker, America is at a critical juncture, and he thinks he is duty-bound to save his motherland and that he should be faithful to God. Should he hold back his opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, he should consider himself as guilty of treason toward his country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heave, which he reveres above all earthly kings.

Paragraph 2: Question

According to the speaker, what should the wise gentlemen do?

The wise men should neither shut their eyes against a painful truth nor listen to the song of that siren till she transforms them into beasts.

They ought to see and hear the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation. Whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, the wise men should be willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst and to provide for it.

Paragraph 3: Discussion

What does Patrick Henry imply by the word “lamp” in his speech?

Lamp metaphorically refers to one’s experiences that guides one’s course of action. The past conduct of the British ministry has proved itself untrustworthy. We must call in our forces to fight

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back.

Paragraphs 3- 4: Question

What is the actual situation America is confronted with?

America is confronted with warlike preparations, which cover their waters and darken their land. British fleets and armies are in battle array, ready to overwhelm the Americans. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon them those chains which the British ministry has been so long forging.

Paragraph 6: Question

What is the main idea of Paragraph 6?

The writer illustrates clearly that everything that could be done has been done in order to avert the fast approaching war. He advises the gentlemen to abandon their fond hope of peace and reconciliation. He urges the American people to fight for freedom with great determination.

Paragraph 7: Question

Why does the orator hold the view that America is strong enough to cope with so formidable an adversary?

The Americans are not weak if they make proper use of those means which the God of nature has placed in their power. Besides, they will not fight their battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight their battles for them. The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.

Paragraph 8: Questions

1. What is the main idea of the last part?

There is no longer any possibility for peace, the war has actually begun, and that Americans must take action immediately and fight for freedom. 2. What does the last sentence tell us?

The last sentence declares the speaker's attitude toward life and freedom and meanwhile calls on people to fight for freedom.

3. How would you describe the tone of Henry’s speech?

The speech is filled with patriotic passion and urgency, severe criticism, and appealing sensation.

4. How does the beginning related to the concluding paragraph?

Both present the sharp contrast: the actual situation and what gentlemen claim. Same topic—freedom.

III. Language Work of Paragraphs

Paragraph 1

“No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house.”

Paraphrase: No man admires more than I do the patriotism and abilities of the noble gentlemen who have just delivered speeches to the house.

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