Trump's Antithesis

One of the greatest weapons a President has in their inaugural address is their use of antithesis. Trump is no exception. He explains when discussing the government “The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs.” His antithesis specifically criticizes the previous government. Trump acknowledges the fortitude of the government by using the metonymy of “establishment” since it creates a serious tone. In addition, he uses positively charged words such as “victories” and “triumphs” to further acknowledge this fortitude. Trump, however, repeats the terms “have not been your” to capsize on the government’s selfishness, and that …show more content…
He claims that “We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow.” The antithesis asserts the country’s perfection and that there is no need to change its approach. The word “impose” exhibits a dark connotation, as if a shadow looms over other countries asserting its influence. In contrast, the word “shine” employs a bright connotation, as if the light shining from America reaches out to its neighbors to draw attention to its perfection, expecting everyone else “to follow” its example and not others. The overall juxtaposition of dark and light within the antithesis canonizes America as well, arguing that other countries should not view America as a stubborn superior, but rather a remarkable role model. Coincidentally, Bill Clinton’s address uses antithesis to acknowledge this image as well. He notes that “Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our renewal.” Clinton, similarly, asserts our country’s perfection, but still, acknowledges room for improvement. The word “envy” gives a prideful connotation by implying that other countries should be jealous of our government. His engine metaphor emits power by using a word such as “engine” to describe the strong driving force towards the renewal and improvement of the country, which is democracy’s continuation. Collectively, the …show more content…
He, in regards to the inauguration, considers it a day in which “we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another--but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the American People.” Trump considers his people to be the first priority. The nouns “administration,” “party,” and “Washington, D.C.” are all broad terms which concern general groups who carry power. Contrastingly, he specifies the conversion of power to the proper noun of “American People.” The pronoun “you” also accentuates this priority in his citizens, which overall establishes Trump as a figure who cares for his citizens. Late President Theodore Roosevelt also uses antithesis to establish his priorities, for our success “depends, not only as regards our own welfare, but as regards the welfare of mankind.” The pronoun “our” centers the importance of the American citizens in achieving success under a Democratic republic. He then, however, uses the noun “mankind” to broaden the focus of the importance of every human in regards to having the republic succeed, thus assigning mankind to be the first priority. Although both Presidents use antithesis to prioritize, Trump uses it for national prioritization while Roosevelt uses it for global prioritization. Trump’s strategy has a more resounding effect, since this is the first time in 8 years that