How Does Robert F Kennedy Use Anaphora In Jfk Speech

Kennedy Has a Dream Too

In Robert F. Kennedy’s remarks on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., he mainly employs imagery, contrast, and anaphora to emphasize his argument - that we need love and compassion in America, rather than hatred and violence. In doing this, he hopes to persuade the audience to understand, be compassionate toward one another, and move past the tragic event of King’s death.

Firstly, Kennedy makes thorough use of descriptive diction and imagery as an emotional appeal. At one point in his speech, he describes violence as “that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land,” which paints a picture of a horrific disease that is consuming America. He also uses a quote from the Greek poet, Aeschylus, to rivet the

If imagery or contrast do not move his audience initially, Kennedy makes sure to reinforce his purpose with anaphora. He first asserts repeatedly that “we need to make an effort” to show the understanding that Martin Luther King Jr. did, and we should “make an effort” to “go beyond these rather difficult times.” The repetition of these words makes the audience more likely to remember his purpose and act on it. Kennedy then rephrases his previous idea by using a mix of both anaphora and antithesis: “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 and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another…” His use of these schemes pushes the audience again to discard the ideas of violence they may have held and incorporate King’s way of thinking into their lives. Finally, Kennedy qualifies his argument, using anaphora again, saying “It is not the end of violence; it is not the end of lawlessness; and it’s not the end of disorder.” Kennedy admits that the change he is looking for will take time, and he may not bring every member of his audience along with him. By admitting his claim has limitations, Kennedy makes himself much more believable and trustworthy. This could also be a subtle sympathy tactic toward his audience - most of the people who were swayed by his words will vow to prove that it is in fact the end of hatred and violence, and move the world in a more positive direction. This is a powerful leg up in the argument, since it puts the audience a single step from his purpose. His use of anaphora is the definite last blow to opposition in the audience, and Kennedy revels in this fact through the waves of applause that follow even brief pauses in his