Question
Reread paragraph 22 of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and paragraph 5 of Henry’s “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” Then answer the multiple choice questions that follow.
From “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
22 I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail to do this they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension in the South is merely a necessary phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace, where the Negro passively accepted his unjust plight, to a substance-filled positive peace, where all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured as long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its pus-flowing ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must likewise be exposed, with all of the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.
From “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry
5 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 a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Which of the following best summarizes the argument structure of King’s letter and Henry’s speech?
A. King and Henry both structure their argument by asking a rhetorical question, then answering that question for their audience.
B. King and Henry use seminal documents that use conversations between fictional characters to illustrate their situations, then they explain the steps their audience should take in response.
C. In seminal U.S. historical argumentative documents, King and Henry both directly address the beliefs of those who think they should not take action, then they refute those beliefs.
D. Henry and King present two options for the action they want to see happen, then they argue for the option they believe is best.
Which of the following statements regarding literary devices in each historical document is true:
A. King uses metaphors and similes to strengthen his argument, while Henry speaks in plain language.
B. King uses metaphors and similes to strengthen his argument, while Henry uses questioning and hyperbole to strengthen his speech.
C. Neither Henry nor King use literary devices but instead use factual statements only.
D. Henry’s speech is a metaphor for slavery, whereas King uses similes to describe the civil rights era.
From “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
22 I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail to do this they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension in the South is merely a necessary phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace, where the Negro passively accepted his unjust plight, to a substance-filled positive peace, where all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured as long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its pus-flowing ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must likewise be exposed, with all of the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.
From “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry
5 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 a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Which of the following best summarizes the argument structure of King’s letter and Henry’s speech?
A. King and Henry both structure their argument by asking a rhetorical question, then answering that question for their audience.
B. King and Henry use seminal documents that use conversations between fictional characters to illustrate their situations, then they explain the steps their audience should take in response.
C. In seminal U.S. historical argumentative documents, King and Henry both directly address the beliefs of those who think they should not take action, then they refute those beliefs.
D. Henry and King present two options for the action they want to see happen, then they argue for the option they believe is best.
Which of the following statements regarding literary devices in each historical document is true:
A. King uses metaphors and similes to strengthen his argument, while Henry speaks in plain language.
B. King uses metaphors and similes to strengthen his argument, while Henry uses questioning and hyperbole to strengthen his speech.
C. Neither Henry nor King use literary devices but instead use factual statements only.
D. Henry’s speech is a metaphor for slavery, whereas King uses similes to describe the civil rights era.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Question 1: Which of the following best summarizes the argument structure of King’s letter and Henry’s speech?**
C. In seminal U.S. historical argumentative documents, King and Henry both directly address the beliefs of those who think they should not take action, then they refute those beliefs.
**Question 2: Which of the following statements regarding literary devices in each historical document is true:**
B. King uses metaphors and similes to strengthen his argument, while Henry uses questioning and hyperbole to strengthen his speech.
C. In seminal U.S. historical argumentative documents, King and Henry both directly address the beliefs of those who think they should not take action, then they refute those beliefs.
**Question 2: Which of the following statements regarding literary devices in each historical document is true:**
B. King uses metaphors and similes to strengthen his argument, while Henry uses questioning and hyperbole to strengthen his speech.