We’re almost there. Just a week left for AP literature and two for Language. As you get ready for the tests, the most useful places to visit are going to be the test review pages. Check them out:

• AP Language
• AP Literature

We will be having a test over existentialism on Friday. It will cover these subjects:

• Basics of Existentialism
• Jean-Paul Sartre 
• Albert Camus 
• Friederich Nietzsche 
• Soren Kierkegaard 
• Andre Malraux 
• Simone de Beauvoir

Antithesis in Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry, a Virginian revolutionist and politician, presented his most renowned oration, Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, to delegates of the 1775 Virginia Convention. During this time, the American colonies were controlled by Great Britain. After several decades of political tension between the colonies and Britain, disputes regarding military revolution arose between colonists loyal to Britain and those wishing to rebel. Although almost half of the colonists were eager to break away from Britain, a powerful minority was unwilling to assume active roles in the struggle. Patrick Henry condemns this passive behavior, arguing that those who are aware of detrimental injustices have the responsibility to take action against them. He begins his speech by recognizing the position of the colonies in international affairs and comparing Britain’s control to slavery. Henry denounces the practice of hopeful waiting; he believes that ignoring the “painful truth” will “transform [the colonists] into beasts.” His use of antithesis shows the foolishness and weakness of those who are able to take action but choose not to. He challenges the audience not to become “one of those who, having eyes, sees not, and, having ears, hears not.” This rhetorical device shows the futility of passive support; Henry argues that those who engage in passive support of the revolution are wasting revolutionary potential. The use of this rhetorical device in Henry’s oration is a representation of his central argument against apathy. Henry believes the war has already begun; he believes that the question is whether or not to support the colonies in military rebellion. The speech ends with the claim that the colonies will be victorious if they take an active stand against oppression. Henry’s speech was successful in creating military action; it is known for convincing the Virginia government to send troops into the American Revolutionary War.

We will be debating nuclear policy in Debate class for the next two days.

The three specific topics will be:

• Should the United States unillaterally disarm its nuclear weapons?
• Do nuclear weapons deter conflicts and prevent WMD attack?
• Should the United States ever use nuclear weapons?

All of the notes for the globalization unit are located here, in one file. You may bring one 3x5 notecard to use on the test, which will be a combination of short answer and developed paragraph responses.