The authors of "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention" and the "Letter from Birmingham Jail" both use strong, powerful language in their writings to change the way their world is viewed. Patrick Henry uses strong language and expressions to show how passionate he is about what he is portraying to others in his speech. In his speech, Henry states, “Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming” (paragraph 4). By using the strong language of “avert the storm”, it allows the audience to see how passionate Henry is about going to war against Britain. Throughout most of his strong language being used, Henry uses facial expressions, and body language to show his purpose. After Henry says, “Suffer not …show more content…
King uses strong, powerful language in his letter to analyze how protesting is right in the eyes of him and his fellow men because of the way they are being treated. King says, “All Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually” (paragraph 25). By using the word “Christians” it points out and focuses on the priests because they are Christians. Therefore, they will feel a personal connection between what King is writing and their lives. King explains what is happening to African Americans during this time and the struggles they are going through in their day-to-day life, unlike these fellow clergymen. King says, “these disinherited children of God sat down at lunch counters, they were, in reality, standing up for what is best in the American dream” (paragraph 45). By connecting the “disinherited children of God” and the clergymen, and their people, King is telling them what they are doing is very wrong. King calls the fellow clergymen “Christian brothers” (paragraph 48) to make the clergymen feel a personal connection to King. Lastly, King says in his closing statement, “Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities” (paragraph 48). By using words like “dark clouds”, “deep fog”, and “drenched communities”, the clergymen understand how depressed the protesters are and how their lives are affected by their poor treatment of
“Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? ( Henry 54)”
In “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention”, delegate Patrick Henry uses diction, details, and syntax to create a tone that is fervently patriotic and urgently pleading.
He is also using an extensive metaphor of enslavement. Patrick uses association, logical, and emotional appeals during his speech at the conference. Patrick Henry’s speech has a compelling, clear, and serious tone. He uses these rhetorical choices to communicate the themes of freedom, independence, and equality. All throughout Henry's speech, he has shown passion and energy to begin a war against Britain.
In his famous speech, "Speech in the Virginia Convention," Patrick Henry fervently develops the theme of taking a stand. He passionately argues that the colonists must take a firm stance against Britain's unwarranted actions, specifically in regard to regarding taxation without representation. At the Virginia convention, the author develops the theme of taking a stand through the use of pathos, and historical references, and ultimately leading to a call for action and resistance against British oppression. The speech's opening lines set the tone for what is to come, as Henry declares that "the question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. " By framing the issue in these terms, he emphasizes the urgency of the situation and reinforces the idea that taking a stand is necessary to preserve the entire nation's future.
King describes the severity of the brutality African Americans face to expose the clergymen to the harsh reality. He wants the clergymen to understand the depth of the hatred the community faces regularly. “But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity;…” King draws a parallel between “mothers and fathers” and “sisters and brothers” to bring out the physical relations one has in order to show that the violence is so close to home for each African American. King mentions the “vicious mobs” lynching people at will to portray how disgusting it is that such gruesome acts have become normalized. He also employs repetition of inhumane treatment African Americans receive, stating policemen “curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill” to show that cruelty against black Americans is so common, even police can be found doing such vulgar acts.
The priest protests that the demonstrations as unwise, untimely, and a lack of respect for the Negro community as their message to the powers that be. King believed that it was important to let the public see the other side of the argument for the clergy failed to offer any protesters credit for their actions. The clergy people think that the problems afflicting their country the benefits will be handled on a case that is not on a street corner. The King connected to his readers when he wrote a letter to the African-American community that they will no longer stand to go through as a white area and denying them their God-given
The priest protests that the demonstrations as unwise, untimely, and a lack of respect for the Negro community as their message to the powers that be. King believed it was essential to let the public see the other side of the argument, for the clergy failed to offer any protesters credit for their actions. The clergy people think that the problems afflicting their country the benefits will be handled on a case that is not on a street corner. The King connected to his readers when he wrote a letter to the African-American community that they would no longer stand to go through as a white area and deny them their God-given
With alluding to Saint Augustine Dr.King was successful in justifying the need to protest, because he demonstrated the distinction between unjust and just laws, and why the African Americans should, or shouldn’t follow them. Furthermore, he also alludes to early Christianity when he states, “early Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being ‘disturbers of the peace’”(27). Christians used to be considered “disturbers of the peace”, from the majority of the people around that time, but they were able to bring an end to the “ancient evils” that were occurring. The allusion was used to show the similarities between the African Americans and the Christians, to show the actions the white community are putting
Dr. King uses these two examples to point out how wronged the black community is and inspire more people to fight for black rights. The clergymen were the target audience for “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, they criticized his work and sided with unlawful people Dr. King corrects their misunderstandings and urges them to fight for justice after showing them the injustice side their
Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech effectively utilized logic, credibility, and emotion in order to persuade his audience into voting in favor of his suggestions. Henry starts his speech by addressing his
MLK’s ultimate claim is that the church is to blame for these happenings and “the judgement of God is upon the Church as never before”(276). King stated how even the people who were in the church trying to fight for justice had been looked down upon and some had been kicked out of their own churches. King’s claims were passionately presented. He relentlessly provided evidence to prove his position on the issue of injustice and also showed ample amounts of examples to solve these problems.
The author extends his gratitude toward them through the use of figurative language, particularly imagery. For instance, he claims that these religious leaders have “carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment” (43). This image of light in the midst of darkness appeals to emotion. By creating this sense of hope, King inspires the audience to join him in his fight for desegregation. Though it is undoubtedly disappointing that there is a lack of support from the majority of clergymen, King conveys his faith in them through this image and shifts his focus from disappointment to
His choice of language is effective at evoking emotion. Through rhetorical questions, Henry was able to emphasize his points, and grab the audience’s attention, creating an emotional effect on the listeners. “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?” These statements prove the speaker’s argument and stir the audience’s emotions.
On April 16, 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, a persistent civil rights leader, addressed 8 white clergymen on the way they responded to the protests from nonviolent Negros. He supports this claim by first emphasizing that all of what is going on is part of their heritage and how everyone has rights, then by telling them breaking the law and standing up for what they believe in embodies the American spirit, and finally indicates the protesters are heroes and they are doing what they can to defend themselves and show others their side of what is going on. Through King’s use of tone, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical tools he effectively persuades the clergymen and the people of the U.S, to fathom what is happening everyday around them and
Persuasion is the act of convincing an individual or a group of people to go toward a specific cause. In Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, one sees many of the rhetorical techniques Patrick Henry utilized to convey his message. Henry’s development of allusions, repetition, and emotional appeals evoked the members of the Virginia Convention to revolt against the British monarchy. Allusions were a major component in Patrick Henry’s speech that helped get his idea of revolting across to his audience. The colonists were frustrated with the British during this time, and Henry felt as if they were “betrayed by a kiss.”