Rhetorical Analysis Of Clare Booth Luce's Address

714 Words3 Pages

During the Second World War, congresswoman, Clare Booth Luce made an address to a woman's banking committee. Her address unifies the women as well as creates shared sacrifices that will help the war effort. By using bonding language, the repetition of the word “glamor”, and expressing emotion through pathos, Luce can unify the women into understanding that their sacrifices will secure a future for future generations in addition to themselves. Luce begins her speech by trying to establish herself with her audience to build credibility. Luce does this by using personal bonding language to identify herself to the audience. For example, she states, “something which I could only say among us girls”. Luce uses words such as, “us”, “girls”, “sisters” …show more content…

Luce understands her audience is of a high class and is expected by society to appear a certain way. But for change to occur they must forget the “glamorous” lifestyle they are supposed to portray. Luce is able to appeal to her audience's mind by using repetition of the word “glamor” throughout the middle area of her address. As an example she mentions, “There isn’t going to be any glamor in what we have to do from here on in”. Not only is she making sacrifices when it comes to cosmetics but also in the lifestyle these women live. Luce understands her audience is prized by many wealthy businesswomen who have an image to uphold. However, she mentions “We’re going to have colder homes, different foods, less clothing”. Luce is attempting to bring the lifestyles that these women live down to the lifestyles of typical American households during wartime. The women will have to put aside their lavish lifestyles to aid the war effort. Luce’s direct language towards her audience is revealing to them the sacrifices they will each have to take in order to create a …show more content…

As her speech is coming to an end her main goal is to unify the women as a community and to the war effort. She suggests to the women that the impact of these changes will aid the lives of their children as well as future generations. “the women of the next few crucial years are going to see that their children, those precious treasures for whom we fight,”. By mentioning the women’s children she wants to open the members' minds to the impact they could have on their child's future. Luce wants the women to realize their actions are going to have a direct impact on their children if they choose to sacrifice now. Furthermore, another topic she elaborates on is the idea that shared sacrifice will help win the war effort. She uses lines such as “We must fight a tough war” and others to express to her listeners that their contribution will help the United States win the