Similarities Between Thomas Paine And Patrick Henry

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Two people stand on two different stages, projecting the same message, but the power is what draws the people. Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry are great persuaders in the time when war upon Britain was approaching. In their separate speeches, each uses a different type of rhetoric or appeal to get the people of America to follow their word, but Thomas Paine moved people through what he said, used vivid and cruel descriptions of Britain’s rule, and subjected the people to believe that they would thrive and grow without a helping hand from Britain holding them back; Although Patrick Henry, in his “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, showed the spirit of true patriotism, he couldn't amount to the passion and emotion that flowed through the …show more content…

His clever word play, in statements such as, “she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her own account” (Paine, par. 3), brought anger into the people. He used many pathological appeals to strike anger into the people of America, and in doing so, persuaded them that they must fight against the enemy, Great Britain. He also wanted people to react upon the fact that Britain was not a parent in their treatment of America because “even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families” (Paine, par. 5). By mentioning things that appeal to every person, he was able to cause an eruption of exasperation throughout the people. His psychological approach to the situation, instead of sheer patriotism, was a key factor in the strength of his speech versus that of Patrick …show more content…

These two emotions are powerful, but he exaggerates his points in such a way, that it could make people fearful that the strength of Britain is far too advanced to fight back yet they have no choice. His words are forceful and demands the people must accept their fate as a part of this war that is believed by him to be “inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come” (Henry, par. 4). His speech uses religion and patriotism to persuade the ones who are not fearful of war, when Thomas Paine brings all aspects of American life into the face of danger, so all people will fight for the things that they have worked for without Britain guiding