Rhetorical Analysis Of George Bush Speech After 9/11

George Bush’s post 9/11 speech was directed to the American people on the ‘deliberate and deadly terrorist acts’ and the initial steps the government would take against terrorism, and to offer his condolences and comfort those who lost loved ones. The speech was addressed to the American people concerning the death of thousands of innocent Americans; however, it is also well known world wide. Bush used language devices to enlighten his American audience on the emotional impacts with the use of his words, emphasising the great tragedy of the 9/11 attack.

George Bush directs his speech to the American audience by the frequent use of first person to engage all Americans to feel united at a time of the 9/11 disaster. Bush’s repetitive use of plural first person expresses his determination to be in control in the situation and engages

his audience to feel inclusive of the attack, by including ‘we stand together to win the war against terrorism’. His use of listing displays the effect on everyday people, ‘secretaries, businessmen and woman, military and federal works, moms and dads, friends and neighbors’. Here he reinforces his audience by referring to the victims in the attack, as list of various people who were loved, speaks for itself as a simple memory of the American citizens who have had their lived tragically taken by acts of evil. Bush focuses on bringing the government and American citizens more solidarity, making everyone feel supported.

The main device George Bush adopts throughout his speech is imagery as he recreates the scene, implementing a sense of sadness. Early on he describes the images of the disaster that individuals may have seen on television, connecting his audience through their shared experiences by bringing horrifying acts of terror to life- ‘the pictures of airplanes flying into building, fires burning, huge - huge structures collapsing’. This important descriptive phrase emphasises the significances this attack had towards the Americans as he portrays the significants of the attack. Additionally he uses steel to describe and compare the strength America holds as a country, ‘theses acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve’. Bush uses symbolism by comparing the steel of the building to the US citizens. Furthermore he uses images such as ‘bright beacon of freedom and opportunity in the world’ that makes the Americans feel a sense of pride and dignity, this lessens the negative emotion held by the listeners. Bush uses this technique numerous times in his address for the same effect of lessening the sadness. The impact and emotion of his imagery displays the strength America needs to have after being shocked by acts of terror, as they come together as one to recover from the attack.

George Bush uses a variety of emotive language to develop sympathy to those who lost their life.

The beginning of Bush’s speech has a solemn tone demonstrated through ‘our fellow citizens our way of life, our very freedom’, which initially states how far reaching the attacks were, whilst still targeting the American citizens. ‘Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest building but they cannot touch the foundations of America’ inspires the nation through emotive language to remain strong together after this attack as people may feel a lack of protection. Using impassioned language makes the American country feel personally addressed, therefore making his audience feel included. Bush states ‘our country is strong’ forcing a positive influence upon the audience as he reassures that the country is strong and today is like no other day. George Bush makes the citizens of American feel reassured and secure during the day of the 9/11 speech, mainly because he uses emotive language to attracts attention of those listening and also adds emotive messages into his speech to make America feel strong as a country and connected as

one.

Through the use of religious messages George Bush has the capability to engage his Christian country. The President chooses a scripture, which was considered to be most appropriate for the moment. ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me’ expresses the situation through the use of the Bible quote, Psalm 23 as Bush believes it best suits the current time of the American citizens are confronting towards the post 9/11. The Psalm 23 quote enabled the American audience to preserve the message through the very difficult challenges emerging from those challenges through the use of their religious beliefs. ‘Good night and God bless America’ concludes Bush’s speech whilst pushing positively onto the audience by emphasising that God is on their side against the war of terrorism.

George W. Bush effectively used language techniques to enhance his speech to those Americans; especially those who lost loved ones. The devastated effects of the 9/11 was engaging for the Americans through his speech by the use of his repetition of first person, imagery, emotive language and religious messages. His use of emotion was necessary to include into his speech as it ultimately lifted America’s crushed spirits and generated a new sense of hope in our nation. His American audience were encouraged to feel empathy as Bush delivered his main message; which was to resolve for safety, justice and peace.