On a cold day in 1961, John F. Kennedy delivered a speech that will live on in fame, to unite everyone in the world. JFK did not use his close victory as a bragging point or talk about his crowd size, but he expertly crafted his speech to address the crowd in a tone of unity, and hope. His speech features a strong appeal not only to his ethics but our ethics as a country to come together. JFK also displays powerful emotion through his many call to actions to help the country. His implementation of logical arguments are used to convince the audience to take a stand and make a difference.
Possibly the most known example of antimetabole is “..ask not what your country can do for you, but for what you can do for your country,”. Kennedy here stresses with the utmost finality what the citizens could do if they could unite together with him, and further inspires them to help by asking for a change in their actions. He takes his statement to the world even, saying, “...ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedoms of man,” He called upon not only the citizens of America, but also called upon from people around the world to come and strive for a world of peace, and it will only be possible if they all
"...to convert our good words into good deeds…" and "to assist free men and free governments…". Like many other politicians, Kennedy promises to do what he says he will do. It is meant to give a positive impact for United States citizens, that they can trust this man with their future in America and not mess it up. He promises to assist other countries and help them keep their independence by backing them up when threat of war reaches them. The quote "...this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers.
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. ”(16) JFK uses parallelism, phrases in the statements that are repeated and identical in structure, in this quote to introduce the idea of justice and liberty between the nations. When he applies parallelism as a rhetorical device, he uses it to build up the thought of what we can accomplish together as a world instead of against each other. He stacks these motivational statements up to catch the audience's attention, in order to fulfill the purpose for his speech which is to create unity.
Nevertheless, President Kennedy’s approach greatly articulated international collaboration among all nations. JFK’s belief in international cooperation as a necessity stems from his recognition of the interconnectedness of the modern world. The threat of freedom and human rights transcends national borders, often requiring the help of collective action through bodies such as the United Nations. By fostering collaboration amongst nations, democracy and human rights may be present on a global scale, even amidst totalitarian governments such as the USSR. In his inaugural address, Kennedy reflects such beliefs to the American people regarding the United States position in the international community, stating, “To the United Nations, we renew our pledge of support—to support it from becoming merely a forum for invective—to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak—and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run” (285).
Kennedy delivered a speech on April 4, 1968 titled Remarks on the Assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In this speech Kennedy tells his audience that Dr. Martin Luther King, has just been assassinated. Kennedy talks about all the things that King has done for the human race. A rhetorical device that was most prominent in Kennedy’s speech was anaphora, “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion towards one another.”
An argument, no matter how well written, will have a weak base without a solid backing. Throughout the decades, “Peace Speech” has proven to be one of the best exemplars of a strong, passionate, and sound debate. Using Ethos, Pathos, and Logos, Kennedy was able to get into the minds of Americans and those around the world. In a time where the fear of war was constant, a conversation of peace was made possible.
Kennedy starts off by telling us how the world and freedom is in major danger, being close to a nuclear war, telling us that it has the power to end the human species (3). The next point made is that we should “... never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate” (Kennedy 15). This means that we should negotiate to make a means with that someone not because we have to negotiate to stay safe from that someone. Kennedy then says that the goal would to have the world work together to explore problems, have a common arm control and be equal in weaponry power, and work together to unlock new sciences (16-18).
John F. Kennedy discusses and analyzes on how the nation differs from the past and present day in that time period. Kennedy narrators on the division and war in the the world to appeal to the audience patriotism by using pathos and logos. In this speech President Kennedy states “to thoses who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request; that both sides begin the quest for peace, before the dark power of destruction unleashed.” He uses this quote to obtain a logical appeal to the appeal to the people. Kennedy uses logos to show that he wants the nation to come together and be humble together in one peace.
Kennedy can see that the country is afraid of the future that will present itself after the Cold War and beyond. It is clear that with war and chaos, it is easy for citizens of the world to turn into their own beliefs and stray away from each other. When using antithesis, Kennedy juxtaposes what being divided or united can do for all citizens. Starting his speech, JFK states, “United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do (Kennedy 1)…”
Lastly Kennedy states, “ My fellow citizens of the world; ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” In this famous quote from Kennedy’s inaugural speech, he says that together, the people of America can do
Delivering the speech, Kennedy expressed compassionate and hopeful words to his audience. His view of freedom is something that makes its way through peace and negotiation. Kennedy states, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us” (16). This is a perfect example of Kennedy’s meaning towards freedom. He wants all nations to look at the things that join them together and can relate to rather than the things that guide them away from each other.
In this momentous speech, Kennedy must persuade his fellow Americans that the best way for mankind to operate is to create a sense of peace and togetherness. He asks the citizens of the United States, “Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort? “ JFK realized that if he can bring together all nations, it would be a monumental landmark in history and could bring world peace, an idea long lost in history, back to the people. Kennedy uses a rhetorical questions to call upon man’s instinct to be known and go down in
In the so-called cold war era, along with the rise of the Soviet Union and the elevation of intensity between Communism and the Capitalism, the continuity of freedom is in the critical moment. John F. Kennedy wisely combines the technique of juxtaposition as well as specify to illustrate the seriousness of the situation as well as the actions America is going to take to his audiences— American people, Soviet Union’s leaders, and the rest of the world—in his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961. Juxtaposition is a technique that placing of two items side by side to create certain effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplishes some other purpose. By employing the technique of juxtaposition, J.F.K. clearly tells the entire nation that America will “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, and oppose any foe to ensure the survival and the success of liberty.” This technique is pretty convincing because it underscores the writer’s thought that America will defend freedom from any potential hazard and effectively conveys to his audience that since the principal of America spirit is based on the freedom, so they may agree with J.F.K. that all people should keep the freedom whenever
Petra Nemcova once said, “We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with knowledge: so many lives wouldn’t have to be lost if there was enough disaster preparedness.” (Brainy Quote) A natural disaster is unpredictable and will obliterate anything in its path. Families and victims go through sorrow and nuisance. I watched many emotions arise and spirits emerge when I saw the victims of the earthquake that happened in Haiti six years ago.
