Rhetorical Analysis Of George Washington's First Inaugural Address

George Washington, the first president of the United States, gave his first inaugural address to Congress on April, 30,1789. He gave his speech after he was sworn into office. The president's speech went over his emotions and concerns about his election as well as his promises as president. Washington starts off his speech by expressing the anxiety he felt when he was told about his election. He states in the first paragraph “the addition of habit to inclination, and of frequent interruptions in my health to the gradual waste committed on it by the time”. Due to his inexperience in administration and his unstable health, he worries he will fall behind in his duties as president. He says that he was humbled by the people of America for supporting

While his repetition of anticipated failures as president could bring nervousness to his audience it allows them to reflect on their own choices leading up to his presidency. This reflection could help them further contemplate what kind of president they desire.
Washington saying that he will accept responsibility for his mistakes shows that he is a truthful man. And declaring that his people must also take accountability for his mistakes shows that he sees his people as part of his equals. Which allows them to feel closer to the president.
In the eighth sentence, Washington reads, “I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow citizens at large less than either”. He guarantees that he will treat the people's concerns about the country as important as his own concerns about the country. Washington says this in an attempt to show America that he will not rule unjustly as the British did to America only months

In paragraph nine he says,” I shall again give way to my entire confidence in your discernment and pursuit of the public good”. And in paragraph ten he says, “He has been pleased to favor the
American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union”. This may infer he has doubts about the new government.
The vocabulary he uses throughout speech allows his words to be easily digestible to those in the audience, while also displaying his level of intelligence. Washington uses simple sentences but will include complex words like “magnanimous” and “preeminence”. While the average listener may not know the definition of these words they can infer their meaning due to context clues given in the writing.
Washington’s character in the speech is submissive and eager to please. This seeps into the overall tone of the speech. Due to Washington repeatedly talking about country-wide peace, and his anxieties as president the tone of the speech is