Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

One of the most terrifying things that a family or country can go through is loss in war. In John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural speech, he addresses these issues in a reassuring and motivational manner. John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States and was the youngest president-elect, on top of being the first Roman Catholic president. He served in the Navy during WWII and was president during the Cold War (which increased fears throughout the world of nuclear bombs). His inaugural speech (which he wrote himself) had many purposes including to invoke a sense of nationalism, to make citizens feel comfortable that he is president, and to address world issues and work towards a solution. Kenedy achieved these goals through the use of many different literary devices and rhetorical strategies throughout his speech. Kennedy uses repetition, oxymorons, and simple sentences in order to bring American society and the world together through peace. First, Kennedy uses repetition to emphasize his purpose of wanting peace. He tells his audience, “Let both sides

He uses two oxymorons in the same sentence at one point, stating, “But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers.” In this sentence, he is saying that just because they are offering peace to countries south of the border doesn’t mean it can be taken for granted by other aggressive countries who want control in the Western Hemisphere. By using the phrases “peaceful revolution” and “hostile powers”, it spins the meaning of the words “revolution” and “powers” and makes the reader think more about how much power these countries have in their hands to change the prosperity of others. Through showing this, Kennedy is able to emphasize how important it is for all countries to get along and not abuse their power, for the succession of world