Paine vs. Henry

      I believe that the "Speech in the Virginia Convention" by Patrick Henry is much more convincing for war with Great Britain than "The Crisis" by Thomas Paine.  Paine uses more text painting and beautiful wording, but Henry's simplicity helped me to better understand the message.  Paine says, “My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light,” but I don’t think he conveyed his clear line well enough for me to see how clear or right he may be.  Paine also seems somewhat threatening when he says, “It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all.”  He tries to win the reader over with fear and faith.  However, I can feel Henry’s energy and passion in his words. He asks many questions of the reader to really engage and make the need to fight personal.  Henry makes it clear that the people can no longer rely on their hope: “and judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house.”  Henry lays out all that has been attempted in vain, and also warns that the British are already preparing for war. He leaves the reader with no other options, showing that everything has been attempted and it is time to fight.

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