Question

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of

experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. 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? Is it that insidious smile with
which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to
your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this
gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which
cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of
love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled
that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.
These are the implements of war and subjugation - the last arguments to which
kings resort.
Discuss how this part of Henry's speech fits into the overall structure of the text and
analyze how well it supports Henry's overall purpose. Be sure to use specific details from
the speech to support your answer.

Answer 1

The excerpt shown above is structured into a series of rhetorical questions, to reinforce the cause and consequence structure of Henry's speech.

What is textual structure?

It is the way the text is organized.

It is the sequence of information organized in a meaningful way in a text.

Henry's speech takes on a cause-and-effect structure, where he reinforces the causes of the American revolt against England and its abusive rule. Henry does this to encourage the public to recognize the problems England has caused in America.

The text above reinforces the goals of this textual structure, as Henry poses a series of rhetorical questions that stimulate the audience's thinking and allow them to recognize that they must fight.