Robert F. Kennedy, in his speech, The Mindless Menace of Violence, asserts that the disunity in America is detrimental to society. Kennedy supports his assertion by explaining that the problem is not of just one group of people, but of all citizens of the country. The author’s purpose is to unite the people so that the violence surrounding Dr. King’s death will be stopped. Kennedy speaks in a somber tone for the participants of the rally in Indianapolis as well as people around the nation. By calling for unity among all groups of people in the country, then emphasizing a common goal between them, Robert F. Kennedy conveys to his audience that the violence and discord among them will destroy the country if it is not stopped. Robert F. Kennedy …show more content…
Although his word choice remains similar throughout the entire speech, there are slight differences, as his intention changes in the second half of the speech. Kennedy’s structure is important because he works to unify the people in the first half of his speech so that they will recognize they have more in common than believed, and their response to his call to action will motivate others to fix the problem. Although Kennedy’s first half of his speech is used to unify the people, he recognizes that the common goal of the people cannot be met without first seeing the disunity of people groups. The goal Kennedy speaks on is “to achieve justice among our fellow citizens.” However, he understands the main obstacle stopping the nation from obtaining this is the way people are taught to treat others around them. There is a natural clash between different groups due to the hatred and fear that is instilled within people from teachings, or handling trials with conquest and not cooperation. Kennedy uses contrasts between the way people think at the time of his speech and the way that people will achieve justice for all people. Kennedy’s word choice through the repetition and connotation of the word “common" depicts the change the country must go through to end the violence. As citizens view their neighbors as aliens, they share no community or common effort, but only a common dwelling -