In a well composed speech, William Faulkner addresses the graduating class of University High School. His purpose of speaking to them was to send a message encouraging them that changing the world relies on them. While doing so, Faulkner uses literary mechanisms such as compare and contrast, diction, and repetition to enhance his overall tone throughout the speech. His tone remains calm yet powerful, leaving the audience feeling invigorated.
In the first paragraph, Faulkner leads his audience in with comparing and contrasting young and old. Faulkner writes “when you are young, you have the power to do anything but you don’t know what to do… when you have got old… you are tired, frightened.” By comparing the two he is giving insight to the students