In John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address, Kennedy uses authoritative and assertive diction, rhetorical devices such as anaphora and antithesis, to name a few, and allusions to current world issues to persuade the world that even though there is a global fragility at the moment with the actions of every American, the United States will survive the Cold War, because only those in the audience, whether American or not, who take matters into their own hands can make positive progress during this time instead of those who sit idly around and let the state or God do work for them. Kennedy wants his audience to believe in him and give their wholehearted support to the nation. There is a lot of tension between the world powers because of the nuclear
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Kennedy uses anaphora twice in his speech; the first use was to repeat “to those” to address the different types of people in his audience: “old allies”, “new states”, “people in the huts and villages”, “sister republics”, “the United Nations”, and to “[the United State’s] adversaries”. By addressing all types of people in his audience, Kennedy establishes a polite, good-natured, and amiable image rather than a hostile one. In each address, he pledges to be cooperative and peaceful, even if the opposing audience disagrees. Kennedy appeals to ethos once more, because his indiscriminate and cooperative stance in each of his acknowledges, strengthens his cordial persona. The second time anaphora is majorly used is when Kennedy constantly says “let both sides” multiple times to refer and join both America and Russia in a series of peaceful future scenarios and suggestions. He causes his audience to imagine and hope for a world in the future where both nations have negotiated successfully and everyone can now live in tranquility. Kennedy also uses antithesis to juxtapose unity and discord when he says, “United there is little we cannot do… Divided there is little we can …show more content…
Kennedy begins his speech by referencing the founding fathers of America and their beliefs that the rights of men were granted by God, but at the end of his speech he asserts the notion that to get through the Cold War, one can not rely on God alone, because “here on earth God’s work must truly be our own”. The reference to God establishes a familiar and safe connection to the audience, which helps enforce the American citizen’s trust in Kennedy and sooth their unease that the allusions to the Cold war and the Arms race create. Kennedy also uses antimetabole to uphold the idea that the people of the nation are the crucial support of the leader when Kennedy asks his “fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you-ask what can you do for your country”. Playing on the American’s sense of nationalism, Kennedy riles the Americans to act for themselves and be strong. His rhetorical questions ask if anyone listening to his speech will be ready to “join in that historical effort” to join together and be able to “assure a more fruitful life for all mankind”. Again, Kennedy moves from America to the world in his call to action. He urges the planet to join him and take action so the hopeful future envisioned by all can become a
Kennedy uses anaphora twice in his speech; the first use was to repeat “to those” to address the different types of people in his audience: “old allies”, “new states”, “people in the huts and villages”, “sister republics”, “the United Nations”, and to “[the United State’s] adversaries”. By addressing all types of people in his audience, Kennedy establishes a polite, good-natured, and amiable image rather than a hostile one. In each address, he pledges to be cooperative and peaceful, even if the opposing audience disagrees. Kennedy appeals to ethos once more, because his indiscriminate and cooperative stance in each of his acknowledges, strengthens his cordial persona. The second time anaphora is majorly used is when Kennedy constantly says “let both sides” multiple times to refer and join both America and Russia in a series of peaceful future scenarios and suggestions. He causes his audience to imagine and hope for a world in the future where both nations have negotiated successfully and everyone can now live in tranquility. Kennedy also uses antithesis to juxtapose unity and discord when he says, “United there is little we cannot do… Divided there is little we can …show more content…
Kennedy begins his speech by referencing the founding fathers of America and their beliefs that the rights of men were granted by God, but at the end of his speech he asserts the notion that to get through the Cold War, one can not rely on God alone, because “here on earth God’s work must truly be our own”. The reference to God establishes a familiar and safe connection to the audience, which helps enforce the American citizen’s trust in Kennedy and sooth their unease that the allusions to the Cold war and the Arms race create. Kennedy also uses antimetabole to uphold the idea that the people of the nation are the crucial support of the leader when Kennedy asks his “fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you-ask what can you do for your country”. Playing on the American’s sense of nationalism, Kennedy riles the Americans to act for themselves and be strong. His rhetorical questions ask if anyone listening to his speech will be ready to “join in that historical effort” to join together and be able to “assure a more fruitful life for all mankind”. Again, Kennedy moves from America to the world in his call to action. He urges the planet to join him and take action so the hopeful future envisioned by all can become a