Read the following passage from Winston Churchill's speech "Their Finest Hour." Churchill delivered this speech to the House of Commons on June 18, 1940, shortly after Great Britain suffered heavy losses at the Battle of France.

Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

In the passage, Churchill says that the world may "move forward into broad, sunlit uplands" or "sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age." Based on your knowledge of the historical context of World War II, explain what is compared in each of these metaphors. Then analyze how the metaphors help fulfill Churchill's purpose of persuading the British people to persevere. In your response, be sure to use specific details from the passage to support your analysis.

Question

Read the following passage from Winston Churchill's speech "Their Finest Hour." Churchill delivered this speech to the House of Commons on June 18, 1940, shortly after Great Britain suffered heavy losses at the Battle of France.

Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

In the passage, Churchill says that the world may "move forward into broad, sunlit uplands" or "sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age." Based on your knowledge of the historical context of World War II, explain what is compared in each of these metaphors. Then analyze how the metaphors help fulfill Churchill's purpose of persuading the British people to persevere. In your response, be sure to use specific details from the passage to support your analysis.

Shadow · Answer

Hmm, do you have any thoughts on this one that you would like to share?

zarkam21 · Answer

I think from metaphor that Churchill says that the world may "move forward into broad, sunlit uplands" or "sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age", he means that this war can either make or break the world. I think he means that this war can either take the country into higher success or can break it and take it into a dark horrid age.

zarkam21 · Answer

@Shadow

Shadow · Answer

Mhm, that's good. Specifically, the metaphor is hope. Light is often used as a metaphor for the word, and this war was not a pretty one. Germany was bombing Britain, and suffering heavy losses in the war (both civilian and military). One of the main components of war is keeping the civilian population in good spirits. They support the troops emotionally and financially, and losing them could mean losing the war.

Additionally, the United States and Britain were great allies during this war. They were united against a threat which they rightfully perceived to be dangerous to the world. What if Germany won? What terrible world would become as a result? (There is actually that depicts this, "The Man in the High Castle") The metaphor is light, and depicts Germany and its allies as forces of darkness which were immoral (as darkness is often portrayed in literature).