Wallace Wallace Speech Analysis

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Throughout the speech, Wallace cultivates southern pride by evoking images of the Old South which further highlights its timeless connection to southern identity. While Wallace uses references of the Founding Fathers and the Civil War era to create an urgent lamentation for Alabamians to restore the former glory of the region, those references also enhance the theme of memory and pride in southern history and heritage. Initially, Wallace highlight the importance of Southerners and Southern values in founding the United States as he references George Washington and Thomas Jefferson who “played a most magnificent part in erecting this great divinely inspired system of freedom” (Wallace). Furthermore, Wallace references famous figures of the Even though the course heavily focuses on the formation and importance of Southern identity, Wallace and his speech is a prime example of how and why the past is deeply ingrained in the present. After almost every reference to religion or the Civil War, there are loud cheers and rebel calls from the audience which signifies their deep connection to those values. It demonstrates the importance of remembering and celebrating the past because it is an integral part of Southern identity. Furthermore, this shows how references to the Old South have always resonated deeply with Southerners throughout time. These images also influences “what it means to be from or in the South” because the overwhelming response from the audience demonstrates how part of their identity is forever associated with the Civil War and traditional Southern values like freedom and religion. It is also used to explain the struggle and evolution between Southern pride and blame. As many of Wallace’s supporters later denounce him and his ideology, they often wrestle with celebrating their past as defenders of freedom and states’ rights while remembering images of racial violence and social trauma (Settin ' the Woods on Fire). This also demonstrates how Wallace and his action are forever seared Much like the modern day Donald Trump, Wallace was a “tell it like it is” politician who tapped into the anger and emotions of voters. Wallace’s vehement delivery of the speech along with his folksy style has passed on to many modern Southern politicians like Lindsey Graham. However, one of the biggest impacts of his speech is its contribution to the decline of

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