Reflection Blog- Speech

Throughout the night I read Speech to the Second Virginia Convention and I must say I did not like this story very much. I really did not understand most of it, but I will try and describe it with the Rationalism period tied into it. The speech that Patrick Henry read was very moving during this time because of the fact that they were having a hard time trying to figure out what to do about their society. Whether to go and have war or do what they were doing at the time which was not working out for them. When Henry said, "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 offense, 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" (Henry 117). In this part of the story, Patrick is trying to get to the emotional side of the president, which shows a part of this rationalism period. He tries to get on the emotional side of things and then he hits them with a bunch of facts and stuff about what it is going on with everything around them. When Henry wrote, "Mr. President, it is natural for 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 ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it" (Henry 117). This is just another showing as to how Patrick got to people is by emotional influences. Just like I said before he would say emotional things and then hit them with hard facts. Like when he was talking about having war or to not have war. He told them that whatever they were doing it was not working for them and he said that they should start war without reasoning. He was fed up with what was happening to them and that is why he had said, "Give my liberty, or give me death" (Henry 118). He was done with all that was happening to them and he wanted to do something for them and he wanted to change things. That is why this story is so timeless to these times. It was a big speech for Henry and his companions. It also helped out with society and the hard times that they were having when he had made out his speech. This is how the story went and how it had the Rationalism Period tied with it.

Bibliography

Henry, Patrick. "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention." Glencoe Literature. Ed. Jeffery D. Whilliam Ph,D. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 15, 116-118. Print.