During a most critical moment in United States history, the first words from a young, incoming President Kennedy had to be nothing short of perfect. When Kennedy took office in January, 1961, America was deeply politically divided and at the height of the cold war. A new president, with much to prove, had to deliver a persuasive and unifying message to the American people. Equally important was that in addition to the American people, Kennedy would be indirectly addressing Soviet chairman Nikita Khrushchev, his Russian counterpart and primary adversary in the cold war. Although often better know for its artistry, John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address is also filled with classic rhetorical devices including antithesis, metaphor, and hyperbole …show more content…
Metaphor, in the simplest terms, is a figure of speech. This rhetorical device takes a word from its original context and uses it in another, exchanging literal meaning for non-literal imagery. Often metaphor uses words to make a picture in our mind that strongly emphasizes a point or idea. Kennedy used a powerful metaphor in his inaugural address when he said, “those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” To understand this metaphor we need to understand the context in which it was used. Ted Sorenson, Kennedy’s special council, speech writer, and co-author of the 1961 Inaugural Address explains that Kennedy wanted to make clear to Soviet chairman Nikita Khrushchev that America 's new leader was not intimidated by the threats of opposing communist nations. Sorenson shares insights on Kennedy’s motive for the “back of the tiger” line when he notes that, “while standing firm against any armed encroachment on freedom, he was seeking to tone down cold war rancor and tensions” (Sorenson). Kennedy used the image of riding on and being eaten by a dangerous tiger to communicate his opposition to communism and to send a message to other countries that might be tempted to adjoin themselves with larger communist countries in search of greater power. In this metaphor the tiger paints a picture of a dangerous political system and provides an image …show more content…
Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural Address is likely as famous and well respected as any other speech in modern American history. It is masterful in its structure and completely persuasive in its delivery. Kennedy used a host of rhetorical devices throughout his speech including antithesis, metaphor, and hyperbole to effectively persuade his audience to appreciate America’s strength, unity, and
Throughout his speech, President Kennedy utilized the ethos appeal. Being the President and citing important individuals and organizations gave him credibility. He “quote[d] their government, ‘the Soviet Union has so powerful rockets to carry
He used a very selective vocabulary, purposely using emotionally charged words such as: “wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance” (lines 4-5), “ruthless disregard” (line 82), and “restraint and sacrifice” (lines 14-15). By using words with strong connotation, he powers the emotions of his audience once again directing support for himself and appearing as the calm figurehead amongst the emotional chaos. He also makes his speech very personal by mentioning individual American families, literally using the phrase “every American family” (line 25). He appeals to the strong sense of patriotism in the American public by mentioning the four servicemen who died in Vietnam. Despite the fact that they are almost completely unrelated to the rise in steel prices and, if they were alive, would be unaffected by the rise in price, either. And yet, Kennedy mentions the servicemen to make the situation appear that much more dire. By mentioning the tragic deaths of these men, Kennedy aims to trigger a strong emotional response in his audience that would turn into support for
people and to get his point across. With logos he uses inductive reasoning by talking about actual facts and cases like when he says “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms – and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.”(Miss, Daly, Pg. 202-203). In this phrase he is talking about the cold war and the stuff that has been going on with Russia. He is showing the world he wants to promote peace and he want to fix the relationship between America and Russia. Another example of logos in this speech which is deductive reasoning is when he says “those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside,” (Miss, Daly, Pg. 202). Which he talks about communism and the spread of communism. He also uses quotes from the bible. “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation” (Miss, Daly, Pg. 203). John F Kennedy was catholic and that was one of his biggest obstacles in the race because a lot of people did not like the idea of a catholic President but by quoting the bible he connect himself to the Christian people in the U.S. through religion and make them feel better about their choice of voting for him. Along with ethos and logos in his speech John F Kennedy also
John F Kennedy delivered one of the finest speeches on January 20, 1961 after being sworn into office. His inauguration speech was so powerful that it captured the entire nations attention, and quotes from it are still remembered by people today. It is one of the finest speeches ever written. It provides a strong appeal to pathos, ethos and logos, and it is because of this that people who never heard the speech can quote lines from it.
This speech proves that Kennedy had a way with words and knew the best way to get a message across. He clearly expressed his feelings but did so without letting them take over. He didn’t scream or shout, but showed he could handle his anger while still letting it shine through. Kennedy used the three appeals, strong diction and syntax, and a well-organized structure of his ideas to convey his purpose; Raise anger in Americans and side with them, while making the steel companies feel guilty for their
Kennedy was elected president in the year of 1961. Which was during the time that the Cold War was in full swing. The Cold War being the tension filled era between the superpowers in the east and the superpowers in the west. Contrary to the other two presidents, JFK was not speaking to the American public at the time of the war 's conclusion but right near the middle of the 40 plus year issue. Regardless he was assuring the public. He stated, “...that the torch has been passed to a new generation of American-”. That optimism cannot be matched. Even at the darkest of times could he stand up there, the president of the United States, and tell the young people of America that their time is now. Not only that but he attempts to inspire Americans when he says “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”, which was definitely a knock at the Russians. JFK overall had this persona about him. This was the speech where muttered that historic and uplifting quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” His message of peace and coexisting really stand the test of
One of the most memorable inaugural speeches in American history was delivered by President John F. Kennedy on January 20th, 1961. Throughout his speech Kennedy uses the “plain folks” technique, with the use of words like,“we”,”our”, and “us”, to convince his audience that he was simply an ordinary man of the people. More specifically he addressed the issues facing Americans regarding tensions between the United States and The Soviet Union, and his hopes of managing internationa...
By delivering his inaugural speech, President Kennedy mentioned not only the American people, but also people from all over the world including new states, old allies, and the Soviet Union. He also sought to inspire the nation after a long, divided election; to alleviate the growing fear of drawn-out cold war, and to bless the hope for peace in the nuclear age. By using the extensive use of rhetorical devices, the President successfully completed and fulfilled the goals of his speech. Therefore, after reading his inaugural speech, I strongly want to choose this speech as an analysis for my research paper. I will analyze John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech based on the idea of social cohesion about liberty, give evidence and number how this speech has influenced thousands of people based on its eloquence and persuasiveness.
Christine Kreiser, in her article “JFK: trials, triumph and tragedy,” highlights some of the extreme high and low points of JFK’s presidency. She uses quotes to highlight the president’s use of chiasmus in his inaugural address, such as “It was a call to service ("ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country").” Her tone really emphasizes the intenseness of the presidency. This evidence suggests that JFK left a lasting impression, one that will be seen for a long time to come.
In John F. Kennedy’s speech, he voices his tremendously strong opinion on steel companies, and why the steel prices should be drastically lowered. It is evident through his literary strategies that he is outraged at the steel companies. Kennedy is so distraught due to the fact that he has inquired about stable prices constantly, yet the steel companies still decided to raise steel prices by 3.5 percent. This price raise is extremely unnecessary, especially since it would be detrimental to American citizens which JFK acknowledges through his speech. John F. Kennedy employs various strategies that strongly appeal to the ethics, logic, and patriotism of the American citizens.
President John F. Kennedy is known for his careful and persistent work, effort, and persuasion, for a news conference about steel prices spiking by 3.5 percent. President Kennedy used strategies such as repetition, the choice and use of words and phrases in his speech and writing, and emotional interests to tackle steel companies. President Kennedy started off by setting a very strict tone, "In this serious hour in our nation's history", to let steel companies know the spike in steel prices is a problem nationwide. Kennedy has told the steel companies that the problem affects everyone in the country. President Kennedy has constantly used the word "we" to show even a man of his level and class is even being affected by this uncalled for outrage.
Kennedy also used other rhetorical devices such as anaphora, alliteration and metaphors. Kennedy used a technique called anaphora, also known as the repetition of the opening phrase of a sentence for added effect, when he said Cuba will be “free from foreign domination, free to choose their own leaders, free to select their own system, free to own their own land, free to speak and write and worship without fear or degradation.” By using anaphora, Kennedy emphasizes the fact that he truly wants peace, not only for his nation but for Cuba as well. He does not blame Cuba for the missiles but instead realizes the fact that they are under the control of “tyrants”. Therefore, through this line Kennedy gains the respect of many that are listening since he is being practical and sensible in the situation despite the severity of it. Another rhetorical device used by Kennedy is alliteration, which is the recurrence of initial consonant sounds, in the following statement, “large, long-range missiles.” The purpose of this statement is to emphasize the threat that the missiles possess by stressing their size and location through alliteration. This statement can stir the fear or curiosity of those listening which is effective in getting their attention and keeping it for the duration of the speech. Lastly, metaphors were also used to compare two things by stating one is the other. This can be seen when he stated that “the fruits of victory would be ashes in our mouths." Once again, this device is used to emphasize the severity and threat of the missiles. Furthermore, Kennedy emphasizes the devastating effects nuclear war can have that not even victory itself will be satisfying since so much destruction was caused. This metaphor will steer those listening, away from taking an offensive action and possibly starting a war to support his defensive plan which does not have a destructive war as a result. It is natural for us as human beings to go with a plan that
On January 20th, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy gave a speech to the nation, which encompassed a new vision for the country with a new generation. That speech was JFK’s Inaugural Address. As the new 35th president, JFK was the youngest president to enter the oval office at the age of forty-three ("Inaugural Address."). The nation was still in in the process of healing after World War II. In the eyes of the masses, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a breath of fresh air for the American People. He was a youthful president, with his youthful image; he was able to rally the younger generations with a progressive vision. This speech was a message to the nation in which JFK outlines a new direction for The United States by securing it’s freedom, being a competitive nation in all aspects, and rallying the citizens behind the government.
President John F. Kennedy brings about a new way of thinking in his inaugural speech. He brings in a sense of selflessness and relentlessness for the country. He uses literary devices such as, antithesis, repetition, and rhetorical questions to bring about that sense in the audience. He begins by putting himself to the people and allowing the audience to feel welcomed. The use of literary devices in his speech allows the audience to recognize his goal, which is moving forward and bringing change to the country.