Rhetorical Analysis: John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
The period of the Cold War was a difficult time for the United States, where inner turmoil and external conflict were prevalent. The people became fearful and uncertain of how the Cold War would continue to unfold, and the hysteria over the perceived threats posed by the Communists perpetuated their fear (History). The nation and its people were desperate for a person who was both a strong and reassuring leader. John F. Kennedy inaugurated into office as the president of the United States on January 21, 1961; it was the day that Kennedy provided the reassurance that the nation was looking for. With his inaugural address, as he considered the turmoil that existed at both the national …show more content…
He appeals to the people by creating a sense of inclusivity by addressing his audience with personal pronouns, such as our, we and us, to show his dedication to the people on a more personal level. He insisted that the American people should go beyond their personal beliefs to dissolve their differences and to think of “today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom.” He attempts to establish himself as a just and equal leader that saw past the insignificant divisions shaped by political parties, ultimately gaining more support. By doing so, he becomes more credible, thus making his speech more …show more content…
Its most notable use was to emphasize the dichotomy between freedom, represented by the United States, and communism, represented by the Soviet Union. By using antithesis, he emphasized not only the disparity in the morals that existed between United States and the Soviet Union, but also the idea of the United States’ moral superiority. He mentions that the struggle is not only defending freedoms against tyranny of communism, but also against the “common enemies” of mankind such as disease, poverty, tyranny and war. This is in regards to the Cold War and how the future and survival of mankind depends on peaceful resolutions rather than violent disputes. As he spoke of abstract ideals such as liberty, he cautioned that “nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request.” Because those that oppose liberty, such as the Soviet Union and other proponents of communism were deemed untrustworthy, it would be futile to offer a
The period of the Cold War was a difficult time for the United States, where inner turmoil and external conflict were prevalent. The people became fearful and uncertain of how the Cold War would continue to unfold, and the hysteria over the perceived threats posed by the Communists perpetuated their fear (History). The nation and its people were desperate for a person who was both a strong and reassuring leader. John F. Kennedy inaugurated into office as the president of the United States on January 21, 1961; it was the day that Kennedy provided the reassurance that the nation was looking for. With his inaugural address, as he considered the turmoil that existed at both the national …show more content…
He appeals to the people by creating a sense of inclusivity by addressing his audience with personal pronouns, such as our, we and us, to show his dedication to the people on a more personal level. He insisted that the American people should go beyond their personal beliefs to dissolve their differences and to think of “today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom.” He attempts to establish himself as a just and equal leader that saw past the insignificant divisions shaped by political parties, ultimately gaining more support. By doing so, he becomes more credible, thus making his speech more …show more content…
Its most notable use was to emphasize the dichotomy between freedom, represented by the United States, and communism, represented by the Soviet Union. By using antithesis, he emphasized not only the disparity in the morals that existed between United States and the Soviet Union, but also the idea of the United States’ moral superiority. He mentions that the struggle is not only defending freedoms against tyranny of communism, but also against the “common enemies” of mankind such as disease, poverty, tyranny and war. This is in regards to the Cold War and how the future and survival of mankind depends on peaceful resolutions rather than violent disputes. As he spoke of abstract ideals such as liberty, he cautioned that “nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request.” Because those that oppose liberty, such as the Soviet Union and other proponents of communism were deemed untrustworthy, it would be futile to offer a