Comparison of George Bush’s speech and Patrick Henry’s Speech

These speeches were both made at pivotal times in our country’s history. George Bush and Patrick Henry spoke to our peole in hopes to guide them in what to do. In Bush’s case, his job was to inform the country as to what was happening and why. He spoke to assure the country that the situation was being handled and he was suggesting our next actions. In the speech of Patrick Henry, he was assuring the concept of liberty and he asserted that we must defend ourselves. These are obviously two similar messages because the cause of liberty is at stake in both situations.

In terms of diction in the speech, the word liberty was repeated often in both speeches and it was effective in reinforcing the fact that we have act fast or our freedom will be at stake. Both Henry and Bush’s tones were serious and you can sense emotion. Bush had a hint of anger in his speech, where in Henry’s speech he held a passionate fury. Both men had to successfully spread their purpose to many people and their emotion helped to convey their message.

Another comparision that I have seen between the speeches is that they were written for formal occasions. Bush was addressing the country and Patrick Henry was addressing the convention and both were on the brink of war .

Overall, the addresses that were given by George Bush and Patrick Henry were delivered by prominent figures with a strong message. This message was given at an important time when a solution was needed. Both men were similar in their delivery when it came to tone and diction. I believe that both men were successful in conveying their purpose and that their actions were very important to their audience.

–Brooklyn

Order In the Court!: Judicial Differences Between the Salem Witch Trials and the American Court System

           Would you rather be on trial in Salem during the 1690s or at a district court in America? Be careful, making the wrong choice could cost you your life! By contrasting the Salem witch tirals and our American system, you will be able to see the many freedoms and privileges that present day courts entail. Although the Salem courts in the late seventeenth century and present-day American courts are both sanctuaries of justice, they differ in terms of defense, how they are affected by public opinion, and religious bias.                 

          When on trial, it is important to have a solid defense in order to have the opportunity of leaving the court inocent. Salem courts and the American judicial system differ in how one defends themselves. During the Salem witch trials, a person’s defense was very limited. For exaple, in The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, those accused of witchery were arrested on the base of suspicion. There was no hard evidence as to how they could be witches. The court was running on the opinions of young women who were pointing a finger at anyone to claim witchery. There was also no requirement for a defendant to obtain a lawyer. In Act 3 of The Crucible, Reverend Hale asks the judge that John Proctor work with a layer for his defense. Judge Danforth responds that “witchcraft is an invisible crime” and there is “nothing left ofr a layer to bring out” (45). The accused have no way of defending themselves if they cannot speak out against a child’s claim. In our present day courts, however, our Constitution requires the rights to a proper defense. Citizens hold the right to counsel, a speedy trial, and the right to trial by jury. Arrests must be based on hard evidence. The writ of habeas corpus provides a justified arrest with a reason rather than an accusation. There was no jury during the Salem witch trials and therefore judgements, such as the death penalty, were hastily made. Perhaps if the rules of our courts had been in the place in Salem, the chances of being condemned to death would not have been as probable.                                                                                                           

           The influence of public opinon is strong in today’s society. There is constant debate as to how much power factions have in the court. In Salem there may have been opinons against hanging but they were not often spoken. If one were to speak out against a judge’s decision, they would be accused for attacking the court. For example, when Proctor challenges the execution of his wife and friends, Danforth asks Proctor if he knew “that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heave is speaking through the children?”(41). It is obvious that Danforth suspects that Proctor is attempting to overthrow the court. This is a serious charge and the court obviously does not take things lightly. Proctor is a brave man that goes against the court and this is an action that was not prevalent among the townspeople. Due to this silence, the death penalty was the central punishment for the practice of witchery and even a small child was a victim of hanging. In contrast, the opinions of the people affect the courts decisions in America. Many believe that the death penalty is inhumane and therefore the implementation of execution has been restrained. Due to the efficacy of public opinion, the death penalty is usually only used in the case of the worst felonies. An example of a strong faction would be religious groups. Though Salem was an opinionated group of the Puritan faith, they could not break the walls of the court. To the court, witchcraft was a breach of theology and these people were in the grip of the devil. In their eyes, they had to hold a strong wall to keep their faith in line.

          Salem was a town in the Puritan realm of the English colonies. Religion revolved around all actions including the court. For example, ministers were major figures in the court room. In The Crucible, Reverend Hale comes to Salem to assist in the investigation. Hale had a wide knowledge of theology and as he walked into Salem with his books “weighted with authority”(20), the townspeople were ready to follow this ordained man’s word. Another element of the court was the prevalence of theology in the law. Most principles were based on biblical morals. A moral miscreant was most likely guilty simply due to a biased court. These people were often the target of such accusations as witchery. In our present-day courts, the principle of separation of church and state has removed most influences of religion from the judicial system. A minister being an official in a court would be unheard of. Possibly the most evident trace left is the oath made over the Bible. It is obvious that there has been a major decline in religious influence in the courtroom. Though religion still helps to shape the political agenda, bias is restricted in the court. Overall, while religion remains involvd in some form within the court, its influence on officials has drastically been reduced since the times of the witch trials.

          In conclusion, the differences between the Salem witch trials and the present-day judicial system in terms of defense, public opinion, and religious influence are vital to understand why our freedoms today keep us away from such fatal outcomes that occured in Salem during the 1690s. We are privileged to have such freedoms in our courts today because without them our voices would be restricted and our lives in peril.

 

 

 

Copychange Theme for English B by Langston Hughes

My instructor said

Go home and write

this page tonight

And it will come out of you

Is it true?

Could it be that easy?

At age fifteen, young, born in Virginia

Lived there, moved here, and stayed

here in this school, close to the coast.

I sit in this class.

And in two years, I enter a new place

through the gates on my own

100, 200, 300 miles from home.

Chapel Hill, the mountains, anywhere

But first I sit and write this page.

How do I know where I go?

At fifteen, vulnerable, I become

my experiences, what I see and hear.

I hear you, me — us– we talk on this page.

(I hear my elders too) Me– who?

I read, I write, and I cant wait for love

I study, watch, and learn.

I am a happy person that loves company

Music is my haven

Being younger doesn’t make me NOT like

what the adults enjoy.

Will my page seem naive?

Being me, it will not be centered

But looking outward

In all areas of life.

You are older,

Yet a model for my future.

You don’t know me yet,

But I will take notes from yoyr actions

and you will do the same.

Will you learn from me?

Though you have more experience,

How will you shape my future?

How will I be free,

When I finish my time in English three?

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