How Does Winston Churchill Use Ethos In Their Finest Hour

786 Words4 Pages

Winston Churchill’s “Their Finest Hour” is written to encourage the citizens and soldiers of the United Kingdom to prepare for battle. The French had just fallen into the hands of the German army. There had also been an unexpected rescue of 338,000 British soldiers from German occupation (Burns). Prior to this speech, England was out of reach of the German army. However, as Germany’s control of France strengthens, the only thing that separates the German army from England is the English Channel. England is all that’s left of eastern Europe and has now become Germany’s primary target, bringing the battle to their shores (Burns). To inform and inspire the British people, Churchill uses tone, foreshadowing, and pathos to convey this important …show more content…

“I look forward confidently to the exploits of our fighter pilots these splendid men, this brilliant youth who will have the glory of saving their native land, their island home, and all they love, from the most deadly of all attacks” (Churchill 76) describes the soldier’s emotional connection with their country. Here, Churchill ignites each soldier’s strength and fury to protect their country and their family. Now more than ever their troops must be dedicated in their mission to fight off the German army. Churchill uses “Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war… But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister” toward the end of the speech to elevate the emotional response to its highest level. The emotional connection and sense of responsibility that Churchill is placing on the audience couldn’t be higher. This is Churchill’s last chance both in the war and in this speech to win, to win the audience over, to push them to their limit, and to fight to the end. The emotional connection in this speech is more substantial and more valuable in delivering Churchill’s desired effect than any other rhetorical