Susan B Anthony Speech Analysis
Mishaal Malik
Mrs. Phillips
English 11 AP Per. 1
09 January 2015
Rhetoric, a True Art Form Often times orators and authors embed their works with certain devices that help further convince and convey to the readers their ideas and aspirations. Famous orators, including Patrick Henry, Jonathan Edwards, and Susan B. Anthony, employed many rhetorical devices in order to make their speeches more effective and memorable. The reputable speeches “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards, and “Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?” by Susan B. Anthony can all be characterized as effective pieces of rhetoric, for they illustrate the ideal usage of as rhetorical …show more content…
Henry’s speech exemplifies a cornucopia of tropes including, metaphors, rhetorical questions, and anaphora. Before the climax of his speech, Henry creates an image of an enslaved nation under British rule by employing the metaphor, “They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging” (History 2). During this point in the speech, Henry comments on the navies and armies sent by the British and stationed near the colonies; by comparing the British rule to the chains of slavery, Henry creates an image that inspires and motivates the delegates to fight against Britain. The delegates present at the convention believe themselves to be esteemed patriots and by comparing their submission towards British injustices to the chains of slavery, Henry tests their egos and uses their egos to gains support for his cause. Another effective method used by Henry is rhetorical questions, which urge the audience to think about Henry’s point of view. Throughout the speech Henry asks rhetorical questions after specifically listing logical reasons in favor of his ideas. The repetitive nature of these questions and the constant questioning of Britain’s motives reinforces the rationality and logical nature of Henry’s argument. Questions such as, “What means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to …show more content…
Their rhetoric, the art of speaking, influenced hundreds and thousands of people in the past and today and their mastery in this art will never be forgotten.
Bibliography
Edwards, Jonathan. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Pub., 1992. Web. 01 Jan. 2015
Garfinkle, Perry. "Writing to the Beat." Opinionator Writing to the Beat Comments. N.p., 22 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
"History.org: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation 's Official History and Citizenship Website." Patrick Henry 's "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Speech : The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2015.
Leith, Same. "Other Men’s Flowers." Opinionator Other Mens Flowers Comments. N.p., 08 Sept. 2012. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
"Susan B. Anthony, "Is It a Crime for a U.S. Citizen to Vote?" (3 April 1873)."Susan B. Anthony, "Is It a Crime for a U.S. Citizen to Vote?" (3 April 1873). N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan.
Mrs. Phillips
English 11 AP Per. 1
09 January 2015
Rhetoric, a True Art Form Often times orators and authors embed their works with certain devices that help further convince and convey to the readers their ideas and aspirations. Famous orators, including Patrick Henry, Jonathan Edwards, and Susan B. Anthony, employed many rhetorical devices in order to make their speeches more effective and memorable. The reputable speeches “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards, and “Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?” by Susan B. Anthony can all be characterized as effective pieces of rhetoric, for they illustrate the ideal usage of as rhetorical …show more content…
Henry’s speech exemplifies a cornucopia of tropes including, metaphors, rhetorical questions, and anaphora. Before the climax of his speech, Henry creates an image of an enslaved nation under British rule by employing the metaphor, “They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging” (History 2). During this point in the speech, Henry comments on the navies and armies sent by the British and stationed near the colonies; by comparing the British rule to the chains of slavery, Henry creates an image that inspires and motivates the delegates to fight against Britain. The delegates present at the convention believe themselves to be esteemed patriots and by comparing their submission towards British injustices to the chains of slavery, Henry tests their egos and uses their egos to gains support for his cause. Another effective method used by Henry is rhetorical questions, which urge the audience to think about Henry’s point of view. Throughout the speech Henry asks rhetorical questions after specifically listing logical reasons in favor of his ideas. The repetitive nature of these questions and the constant questioning of Britain’s motives reinforces the rationality and logical nature of Henry’s argument. Questions such as, “What means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to …show more content…
Their rhetoric, the art of speaking, influenced hundreds and thousands of people in the past and today and their mastery in this art will never be forgotten.
Bibliography
Edwards, Jonathan. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Pub., 1992. Web. 01 Jan. 2015
Garfinkle, Perry. "Writing to the Beat." Opinionator Writing to the Beat Comments. N.p., 22 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
"History.org: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation 's Official History and Citizenship Website." Patrick Henry 's "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Speech : The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2015.
Leith, Same. "Other Men’s Flowers." Opinionator Other Mens Flowers Comments. N.p., 08 Sept. 2012. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
"Susan B. Anthony, "Is It a Crime for a U.S. Citizen to Vote?" (3 April 1873)."Susan B. Anthony, "Is It a Crime for a U.S. Citizen to Vote?" (3 April 1873). N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan.