Rhetorical Analysis Of Ronald Reagan's Farewell Address

Ronald Reagan was one of the most liked Presidents. When being elected for his second term, he won by a landslide—winning all the states minus Minnesota and Washington D.C. Reagan addresses the people of the United States of America. He wants the American people to reflect on his presidency, and as all presidents do in their farewell addresses, he wants to say goodbye to the nation that he's led for the past eight years. Ronald Reagan uses repetition, parallel structure, and allusion to reflect on his presidency and to say farewell to the American people.

To reflect and to say farewell, Ronald Reagan uses repetition by repeating “common sense” three times in paragraph 18 and 19. The first use of “common sense” is at the end of paragraph 18.

In paragraph 10, Reagan alludes to one of the previous presidents, Abraham Lincoln. In his speech, Reagan is talking about looking out a few of his favorite windows in the White House. He is saying how he can see far out of the window and that Lincoln had the same view when he saw the smoke rising at the Battle of Bull Run. Reagan is reflecting on the past when he speaks about Lincoln. When looking out the window, Reagan was reminded of many different situations that had taken place outside of the window of the White House—making it relatable to the American people who can also look out their own windows. As they are looking out the window, they can reflect on what has happened during Reagan’s presidency and what is to come in the future. Another use of allusion takes place in paragraph 35 when Reagan says “shining city upon a hill”. “City upon a hill” comes directly from the Bible, in Matthew 5:14. This verse says, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” America began on Protestant views, and Reagan is connecting back to that original heritage. Americans can also reflect back on this heritage and how Reagan has used that during his presidency. Reagan is telling the people to continue using this in their lives, even after he leaves office. Also, city on a hill makes the American people that they are looking down from the hill. A hill is high off of the ground, and they would have to look down from