Presidents use rhetoric in most of their speeches to effectively convey their thoughts and ideas to the American people. John F. Kennedy was elected to be the thirty-fifth president of the United States. When the United States was going through a tough time and looking for a leader Kennedy was the youngest president ever and needed to establish himself as a leader and prove that he could change America. Kennedy’s inaugural speech’s purpose was to use emotional language to inspire and appeal to ethos of an anxious and restless audience.
If a nation can’t trust a leader, they can’t live comfortably. JFK uses several persuasive appeals to inspire his audience. The purpose of his speech is to inspire, not really educate, logos are not used often throughout. Kennedy uses emotional language to include his audience in his goals. With the famous line, “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” Kennedy makes the task of bringing peace to the United States not only his responsibility but also to American peoples. This quote is an antimetabole or a repetition of words in reverse order.
JFK makes the audience feel personally responsible for make America a better place. Another noticeable aspect of JFK’s inaugural address is his ability to use his language to bring out a sense of pride in the American people. The president uses forms of imagery to remind the listeners they are “The heirs of that first revolution. ” The images of freedom and liberty are often used like this to prompt the audience to think of the United States as strong country. Even though the speech is largely emotion, Kennedy also uses the text to establish ethos to the citizens of the world.
The Essay on Analysis of President Kennedy’s Cuban Missile Crisis Speech
President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in January 1961 foreshadowed his Cuban Missile Crisis Speech of October 22, 1962. His steely, resolute admonition to the world in general and to Soviet Chairman Khrushchev in particular made it clear that the president would not and could not tolerate the provocative, extremely dangerous deployment of Soviet nuclear weapons in nearby Cuba. He realized ...
Despite President Kennedy’s young age, he is expected to perform on the same level as past presidents. JFK is aware of this expectation and assures his audience in the first paragraph that, “For I have sworn before you and almighty God the same solemn oath our forebearers prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago. ” Kennedy wants his audience to know he has gone through the same process as past presidents and plans to hold the same values that our nation was found on. Kennedy then proposes pledges to American citizens, allies, and enemies.
This oath assures the people that the United States will do whatever is necessary to, “assure the survival and success of liberty. ” This inspires Americans to realize Kennedy is a supporter of freedom. By appealing to allies and enemies, JFK shows that he no longer wishes to fight, but to work towards a better world. At the time of Kennedy’s inauguration, America was living in tension. Americans were looking for peace. Kennedy realized the mood of his audience and made his speech in a way that would inspire and bring support. The numerous refrences to God were put in on purpose to appeal to a largely Christian audience.
By comparing his goals to God’s in the last paragraph, Kennedy gained the support of the religious citizens. “God’s work must truly be our own. ” Kennedy knows by comparing himself to God, the people may instill more trust in him as a president. John F. Kennedy’s speech gives off a strong message to the American people. The use of emotional language throughout inspires his audience a feeling of pride and responsibility. Kennedy’s ability to judge the mood of his audience and to connect with their emotions is ultimately responsible for the success if this speech.
