The colonial & early national period (beginnings 1830)

Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” That quote perfectly defines the period of Early Nationalism. Through speeches and documents by Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson we see the power of persuasion and the effect of rhetorical devices such as restatement. Their struggle for freedom from Great Britain was reflected in what they wrote and we can not ignore documents and speeches such as “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” by Henry or “The Declaration of Independence” by Jefferson. These documents may not be normal literature, but are none the less an important part of history and the way they are written shaped the world we live in today. Each and every literary work since the dawn of time is important. That is because they shaped the way authors write today. Everything from origin myths to political speeches affected literature in some form or fashion and they show the evolution of society along the way.

• Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” That quote perfectly defines the period of Early Nationalism. Through speeches and documents by Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson we see the power of persuasion and the effect of rhetorical devices such as restatement. Their struggle for freedom from Great Britain was reflected in what they wrote and we can not ignore documents and speeches such as “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” by Henry or “The Declaration of Independence” by Jefferson. These documents may not be normal literature, but are none the less an important part of history and the way they are written shaped the world we live in today. Each and every literary work since the dawn of time is important. That is because they shaped the way authors write today. Everything from origin myths to political speeches affected literature in some form or fashion and they show the evolution of society along the way.

Patrick Henry was and still is a well renowned orator. Many still quote his famous words “give me liberty, or give me death” from his “Speech in the Virginia Convention.” In said speech, he seeks to convince the members of the Virginia House of Burgesses to prepare for war against Great Britain. Patrick’s proposition to illuminate a problem, where he asks listeners to share a concern, shows his patriotism as well as his religious zeal.

• Patrick Henry was and still is a well renowned orator. Many still quote his famous words “give me liberty, or give me death” from his “Speech in the Virginia Convention.” In said speech, he seeks to convince the members of the Virginia House of Burgesses to prepare for war against Great Britain. Patrick’s proposition to illuminate a problem, where he asks listeners to share a concern, shows his patriotism as well as his religious zeal.