John F. Kennedy is routinely characterized as one of America's greatest orators. His Inaugural Address is considered one of the greatest speeches in the twentieth- century American Public Address, and is generally counted among the great speeches in U.S. history. Virtually all who have commented on the speech consider it a success JFK was known as a people’s person, which highly affected his speech. His speech was famous for its eloquence and for its call of duty: “Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country” (JFK). In the speech JFK used several literary terms throughout the speech to identify important parts of the speech. It also interprets hard-line Cold War rhetoric that reduced global politics to an apocalyptic battle between the democracy and communism, and how he plans to get the United States out of the depression we were in. John F. Kennedy was born May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Kennedy’s young life due was privileged due to his dad’s success. In 1926 he moved to New York City, Kennedy’s early academic record was unimpressive for a man who would later be arguably America’s most intellectual president. Kennedy was not smart but attended Harvard University due his father’s wealth. A trip to Europe changed president JFK’s eoutlook on education and his cause for life. He spent his summer traveling Europe and returned to Harvard in the fall where he excelled in government and political courses. In 1946 Kennedy began his first of many campaigns for public office known for his slogan “A new generation offers a leader” (Kennedy). At 29 Kennedy won his first election for the U.S Representative from the 11th Congress District of Massachusetts. While still in Congress Kennedy’s eyes ... ... middle of paper ... ...gles to be free seemed, open-ended, and permanent a bold departure from the cautious policies of the past. Evaluating the legacy of John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address is difficult. Kennedy will always be seen as a man whose young, vibrant life and presidency was tragically cut short. He was the youthful, earnest visionary who might have changed the world. From the start, Kennedy's Inaugural Address was recognized as a well-written and successful speech. Kennedy's speech no doubt possessed the literary style and elegance of a great inaugural address. It rehearsed the communal values of the typical inaugural, and it aimed to unite the public in common cause. Many Americans were personally inspired by Kennedy's Inaugural Address it was clearly much more than "merely" a ceremonial speech. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address proposed a new vision of those in the United States.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He graduated from Harvard, and joined the navy. He worked as a reporter before entering the political arena. He later wrote “profiles in courage” which won the Pulitzer Prize Award. Being that JFK was the youngest president to ever be in office there is no doubt that he encountered a lot of skepticism. This speech had many purposes but most importantly it gave him positive recognition. The inaugural address was written to encourage the American public to get actively involved with their country. It also reassured them that it was not a contest that he won but rather chance at a beginning. This speech reassured the voters that they made the right choice and informed a country that they were going to see some changes.
Kennedy was elected president in the year of 1961. Which was during the time that the Cold War was in full swing. The Cold War being the tension filled era between the superpowers in the east and the superpowers in the west. Contrary to the other two presidents, JFK was not speaking to the American public at the time of the war 's conclusion but right near the middle of the 40 plus year issue. Regardless he was assuring the public. He stated, “...that the torch has been passed to a new generation of American-”. That optimism cannot be matched. Even at the darkest of times could he stand up there, the president of the United States, and tell the young people of America that their time is now. Not only that but he attempts to inspire Americans when he says “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”, which was definitely a knock at the Russians. JFK overall had this persona about him. This was the speech where muttered that historic and uplifting quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” His message of peace and coexisting really stand the test of
Evident throughout his entire address, Kennedy employs a cogent pathos appeal to keep his audience intrigued. This can be demonstrated when Kennedy initially proclaims: “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…” who he urges to be “unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of…human rights to which this nation has always been committed…” (Kennedy). Kennedy’s usage of “we” rather than “I” gives the audience a sense that they exist as part of something big, perhaps a family, while portraying Kennedy as a people’s president who desires to be a “person in the crowd.” Throughout his address, Kennedy establishes pathos mainly by appealing to American patriotism, a significant concept during the Cold War period in which Americans needed a jingoistic spirit to succeed. By reminding his audience of their forefathers and instigating parallels between “the first revolution” and the present generation, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage,” the president grasps the attention of the audience. He even stresses the value of liberty and this generation’s dedication to the survival of that value to rou...
John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most important American speeches after being sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. His inauguration speech was so influential that it seized the nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still clearly remembered by people today. It is considered one of the best speeches ever written and ever delivered. It presents a strong appeal to pathos, ethos, and logos and accomplishes what any speaker strives for – it speaks straight to the heart of the audience and inspires people.
Kennedy might have had his head in the clouds when preforming this speech, no man could have accomplished all that he set out to do in such a short time, but that was not the point. As Kennedy stood on that podium in Washington D.C. and the world tuned in to hear him, they weren’t listening for every flaw they could find. They were looking for someone to stand up there and let them hear what they had been missing for so long now. And as he wrapped up his speech, he was doing it. Kennedy was able to look right at every American, whether a hawk, a dove, or anywhere in the middle, and connect to them. The newly elected President of the United States successfully stood on that podium and made a lasting emotional appeal to the citizens of this country that swung their support in favor of Kennedy further, and unionized us behind a common man and a common cause, the betterment of this
Johnson wanted to continue with Kennedy’s unfinished work of the “New Frontier” after Kennedy’s term. The “Great Society” a term that Johnson coined, was one of the greatest reform agendas since Roosevelt’s “New Deal”. (US History, 2014) The great society included ideas to help put an end to poverty and of racial injustice, as well as major spen...
The timelessness of JFK and his inaugural address is highlighted in Eleanor Craft’s essay “Inside Kennedy’s Inauguration: 50 Years On”. His legacy and ideals have persevered over the decades, and will continue to do so. Although Craft’s essay and JFK’s inaugural address both utilize different stylistic elements to support their purposes, they are equally effective in conveying and proving their purposes to their audiences.
By him using multiple points he shows that he will stop at no obstacle to obtain peace. To enumerate, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty” (Kennedy). This statement enforces a tone of candid by taking action to achieve the goal of piece. Kennedy sets the mood of uplifting and reproachful by naming what he will do to chase peace and liberty. JFK is willing to bear the hardships and pain the United States would endure fighting for peace world-wide, not only to better the country but to set an example for future generations. He ushers peacefulness and liberty of nations will prevail no matter the consequences for that is what the forefathers promised. To continue, “Divided there is little we can do- for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder” (Kennedy). With nations at war a future of prosperity is compromised, although if united as one the opportunities are endless. There is a chance for more knowledge of religion, ways of life, cultures, and forms of education a peaceful world could bring. Furthermore, setting the people on the track of fighting for peace to not only better the country but themselves and future generations to
By 1961 the United States faced deep rooted social and political turmoil. Racial tensions brought by social inequality, international antagonism towards communism, and an obligation to protect the public from the weapons of mass destruction of adversaries abroad characterized the United States during said period. As the cold war approached its peak, worry and uncertainty seeped into the minds of the American people. A formidable, influential, and reassuring leader was needed. The newly elected 35th President John F. Kennedy provided such desired attributes in his inaugural address. Kennedy sought for lasting peace and unity in the hearts of all Americans and non-Americans alike facilitated by his effective rhetoric. Kennedy strategically employs
In his speech he tries to make his audience feel like they’re included in his goals as President. He also was trying to inspire the nation on how he change the country and give them hope during the turmoil. He uses several appeals to gain the trust of his listeners. Kennedy goes on to instill some sought of responsibility for his audience. With his famous quote saying, "Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for country,” (Kennedy, 104) Here he making the audience feel like they have a responsibility to make this nation a better place to live. While trying to educate his audience on responsibility, Kennedy uses certain languages to educate his audience on pride of being an American. Kennedy constantly uses images to portray freedom and liberty as he reminds his audience that they are, "The heirs of that first revolution." (Kennedy, 12) Here he prompts the audience to think of America as a strong, father-figured nation that is responsible for the goodwill for this world. Kennedy also spends portions of his speech addressing ethos to not only us, the American people, but also the entire
In his speech, President Kennedy uses strategic language and verbiage to convey his purpose. He used words like freedom, renewal, faith, liberty, peace, and loyalty to evoke emotion not only from fellow Americans, but also nations around the world. JFK’s presidency began after World War II and during the Vietnam war when America desperately needed to hear these words most. His presidency fell right in the middle of pressing social injustices and the middle of the Cold War. President Kennedy mentioned several times that the work that our forefathers fought for is
President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, in his speech, the inaugural address, addresses the people of the United States. Kennedy's purpose is to emphasize his desire to cooperate with the people of the United States to improve the state of the world. He adopts a patriotic tone in order to encourage feelings of hope in his adult listeners.
Recorded as one of the shortest inaugural addresses in history, John F. Kennedy’s speech delivers a concise yet empowering counsel on resolving international problems and the United States’ duty in these issues. With a passionate and patriotic tone, Kennedy uses anaphora, parallelism, and diction to convey American values of liberty and form a closer connection with the audience.
Many of Kennedy’s sentences are short, declarative sentences, expressing a point clearly and confidently. When Kennedy explains that America must be strong in its war for peace, he only uses seven words: “We dare not tempt them with weakness” (12). The effect of these sentences stress a point Kennedy is trying to make, and the sentences are more evident to the audience because they are declarative. Kennedy also uses complex sentences to build up the main ideas that he establishes in his speech. These complex sentences, such as: “To those new states whom we welcome…we pledge our word that…” (7), address a targeted audience, and then enters into the main point that Kennedy makes. Another form Kennedy uses is the inclusion of sentences that begin with coordinating conjunctions. Some of the sentences in the speech begin with “and”, “but”, and “so” which means that Kennedy is trying to build upon his ideas. Kennedy’s logic is justified through the use of complex sentences and coordinating conjunctions, because Kennedy supports his points accurately. When addressing the world beyond America, Kennedy divides them into separate categories and talks about them in detail to support his argument. For example, when addressing the newly developed countries emerging from WWII, he uses coordinating conjunctions: “But we shall always hope to find them…” (7), along with a metaphor that warns the new countries about the dangers of communism: “in the past, those who sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside” (7). In using these syntactical devices like coordinating conjunctions, Kennedy can support his point with details and present it with conviction. His varied sentence structure contributes to his purpose as well; Kennedy uses declarative sentences to state his points that support his subject of world
When Kennedy says, “The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe (Kennedy),” he is establishing the use of pathos. The emotional appeal of American Patriotism is what this quote is about, which was very important to the people of America back then because many American soldiers died during the Cold War. Kennedy then incorporates, “The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it – and the glow from that fire can truly light the world (Kennedy).” This quote shows that JFK believes in America and the generation that he is living in now, saying he would not trade this time period for anything, which really makes the people of that American generation feel