Read the excerpt from Patrick Henry’s speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” What is the author’s purpose for using the rhetorical device you identified in the excerpt?

Question

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.

(1 point)
Responses

To make a clear connection between the past and the future
To make a clear connection between the past and the future

To help readers understand the difference between judgment and justification
To help readers understand the difference between judgment and justification

To ask a question for dramatic effect
To ask a question for dramatic effect

To explain a new idea using familiar terms
To explain a new idea using familiar terms
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

The author's purpose for using the rhetorical device in the excerpt is to make a clear connection between the past and the future. By referencing the conduct of the British ministry over the past ten years, Patrick Henry is suggesting that understanding history is essential in assessing the likelihood of future actions and outcomes.