We Shall Fight on the Beaches

The final paragraph of this speech is the most quoted when referencing what Churchill tried to impart to the British people. Do you think that his message can only be found in his final words? Why, or why not? What information is included in the rest of the speech that makes his words more impactful?

Analyze Churchill’s use of ethos and pathos in “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” to persuade and rally support for the war effort.

Why is Britain able to defend itself so well, even though it is an island? What textual evidence is there to support this claim?

How does Winston Churchill’s experience as a soldier affect the content of his speech? What words or phrases give you that knowledge?

Why is it significant that boats manned and operated by citizens also assisted with the evacuation at Dunkirk?

Churchill uses mostly singular or two-syllable words throughout this address. How does that choppy-sounding rhythm make an overall impact on his message?

Churchill uses repetition at the end of this speech when he lists the various places “we shall fight” (Paragraph 20). What does this tell readers about Churchill’s opinion on how the war will play out?

Imagine you were a British citizen during World War II. Would this be an encouraging speech? How confident would you feel about your country’s safety and military power?