Reflection over "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention"

The passage "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention" is a perfect example American Rationalism Period. When it begins, the feeling of real authority and power just begins to come through the words. Patrick Henry feels that what is being said is the only and absolute truth. He gives very much of his opinion, which is exactly what people began to do in the American Rationalism Period. "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." (Patrick 117) This quote displays my exact thoughts that he is a product of the rationalistic times by stating that his opinion will be shared and it will be understood. Which leads me into my next point, understanding. Rationalism is a time of understanding and making sense of the life around them. The author of this wants to understand the governing system he is under at this time. "They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when the British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?"(Patrick 118)This is the largely apart of the rationalism time because it displays how the want to know the truth and to know what is going on, is of an utmost importance to this man. This was a great time of revelation for many because they realized the world around them is going out of their control and that it is their time to take control of it. Henry is doing just that to show how he knows that something needs to be done, and he will make sure is voice is heard. This has caused much controversy with all the revelations because others are having their own revelations of which do not agree. The idea of deism which basically is an idea form the Enlightenment. They believed that God set the world up as a clock and just made it and lets it run its course. (Imbarrato) This is why I think that "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention" is written the way it is because they believed that God was letting us run our own course so they need to do that. This is going to make people want to take control and that is what they did.

Imbarrato, Susan Clair, and Carol Berkin. "deism." Encyclopedia of American Literature, Revised Edition: Settlement to the New Republic, 1608–1815, vol. 1, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL0103&SingleRecord=True (accessed September 30, 2011).

Henry, Patrick. "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention". Wilhelm, Jeffrey D., and Douglas Fisher. Glencoe Literature. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.