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Figurative Language In Harvey Milk's The Hope Speech

1596 Words7 Pages

Cassandra De La Cruz
Professor Fierro
English 101
6 July 2023
First draft
What role do people play in others' hope? In 1978, Harvey Milk delivered the “Hope speech” where he urged the public to vote for gay people in office. Harvey Milk is known as the first elected politician in the United States to be openly gay. He advocated for the elderly, ethnic minorities, members of the LGBT community, and the disabled. Harvey Milk’s “The Hope Speech” uses several appeals of syntax, ethos, and figurative language to enhance his argument.
Harvey Milk uses syntax to structure his speech’s introduction. He begins the speech with a narrative. One that disproves the arguments of the same people who criticized them. He recalls how, “Anita Bryant in her speaking to God said that the drought in California was because of the gay people. On …show more content…

As well as the serious academic tone set beforehand. Away from the deeply impactful topics. He proceeds to point out to the audience in a random manner, “And you and you and you, you have to give people hope” (Milk). This humourous, unexpected gesture is a call to action. He uses these devices by repeating the same phrase three times, to emphasize how everyone with a voice and opinion has a say in the matter. No matter who or what they do, they can vote. This connects the audience to their role in his message. and reveals how important their decisions are in a matter that the critics may have believed they were unaffected by. Because it connects an issue of prejudice to why it is necessary for everyone to support each other. The humorous ending likely sparks conversation as people laugh in unison, they are more likely to be open and in a positive mood. His final gesture completes his speech and turns responsibility onto the audience. Signaling that it is now their time to take action for a positive

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