Henry And Paine Speech Analysis

In both the speech to the Virginia Convention and The Crisis, Number 1, Henry and Paine wrote to persuade the colonists to fight. But, they both have different methods of doing this. Paine uses figurative language, tone, and rhetorical devices to convince the colonists to rise up against the British and fight for their independence. Paine’s writing uses ethical and emotional appeals, or ethos and pathos, in order to achieve his goal. Henry, on the other hands, uses logical appeal, or logos, to convince the colonists to secede from England and to fight the British. Henry narrows everything down to two options-freedom or slavery, and uses rhetorical questions and hypophora to convey his ideas. Both of these methods were effective despite the

Henry begins the speech in the Virginia Convention by stating that different people will have different opinions. He says that people will refuse to face the harsh reality of the situation, but that their only options are freedom or slavery. Paine, on the other hand, begins The Crisis by stating that tyranny is hard to overcome. Paine states that Britain is binding them in all cases, which is slavery. Henry also uses the term slavery, stating that they only have two choices in this situation, freedom or slavery. Henry also states that the British have navies and armies in the colonies and, since the British have no enemies on this part of the world, it must be meant for them. Henry also states that they have tried everything to overcome the British and that fighting is the only solution left. Paine also states that fighting is inevitable, and that any reasonable person would rather fight to give their children peace than have their children fight. Both Paine and Henry use these points to encourage the colonists to fight, since the war is inevitable and the British are treating them as if they were

Henry, in the speech to the Virginia Convention, uses emotional and ethical appeals. Paine, on the other hand, uses logical, emotional, and ethical appeals. Throughout each argument, there are examples of each type of appeal. But, in Paine’s argument, he makes use of each type of appeal effectively, unlike Henry who only uses ethos and pathos. For example, Paine writes “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of his country, but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” This is an example of pathos. It’s appealing to the readers emotions, making them feel grateful for those men who have stood behind the revolution in all times, including the hard times. An example of pathos in Henry’s writing is, “Gentleman may cry, ‘Peace, peace’-but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!” This quote appeals to fear, making the audience realize that the war has begun and there are no other options. Paine and Henry also use ethos in their essays. An example of ethos from Paine’s argument is, “I call with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out.” This is an example of Paine showing that he is trustworthy and has respect for his audience. Henry uses ethos when he writes, “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.” Henry is