"Patrick Henry Speech" by Patrick Henry Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained—we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

Question

Which of the following describes a difference in ideas between these excerpts?

A. The first speaker calls for change at once, while the second speaker expects change to happen gradually.
B. The first speaker claims that there is no way forward for change, while the second speaker questions which path forward will work.
C. The first speaker has hope for change, while the second speaker expects the situation to remain as it is.
D. The first speaker calls for change over time, while the second speaker calls for change at once.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. The first speaker claims that there is no way forward for change, while the second speaker questions which path forward will work.

In the excerpts from Patrick Henry's speech, he conveys a sense of urgency and despair, stating that after many attempts to communicate and negotiate, there is no hope left for peaceful resolution. He emphasizes that the only option remaining is to fight. This reflects the idea that there is no possible way forward for change through existing means.