10/13/14
Hess/7
Textual Analysis
Yes He Can!
In 2008, Barack Obama was elected into office and became the 44th President of the United States. Obama’s victory speech, “Election Night Remarks”, was heartfelt and genuine, soaking in determination to change the “immaturity and pettiness that poisoned our politics for so long” (680). He argues that America, as a people, can remake the nation. Obama strategically starts off the speech by appealing to ethos. He shares with us the grueling campaigning Senator McCain experienced and congratulates him and Governor Palin on all their achievements. This largely appeals to ethos because he is acknowledging the competitor in a respectable, honorable way. By honoring Senator McCain, …show more content…
Obama is establishing his character, displaying that he is a fair competitor and even wishes to work with him in the months ahead. The President then goes on to thank a laundry list of men and women who aided him during the campaign time. He mentions the Vice President, Joe Biden, and shares that he “is a man that campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with” (678). By mentioning Biden and how he spoke for his people, Obama appeals to ethos once more. Obama depicts Biden as a down-to-earth, rustic man, who sheds light on the ideas of his people. By aligning himself with such a trustworthy man, Obama is developing trust between him and the audience, elegantly hinting that he will also listen to our ideas and defend our logic as the leader of this nation. Chronologically, Obama largely appeals to pathos. In the midst of thanking everyone who helped him achieve this high office, he stops to thank his wife and kids. He introduces America’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama, by referring to her as his best friend and love of his life. Sasha and Malia, the President’s children, are then introduced and thanked for overseeing this as a big time in all their lives. He shares that because they have cooperated so well, they earned the new puppy that will be joining them in the White House. This appreciation was critical in appealing to pathos because he is relating to all the Americans that have families. He is showing his father/husband side, something many men can relate to. By divulging his love for his family, he is evoking many Americans emotions, creating a bond through similar feelings. Obama also appeals to pathos in another very peculiar way. He says, “I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start off with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington- it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston” (679). This is the perfect statement to make regarding appealing to all types of Americans. Obama shares that his campaign did not start off with much money, a statement which we can assume is made directly towards the 50 million Americans who live below the poverty line. He says that his campaign was started in the homes of our nation, appealing to the down-home, average Joe Americans just like you and me. The President appeals to pathos where it matters, in the heart of the working class; thanking everyone who dug into their savings to support the cause, who “left their homes and families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep” (679), and especially those who still have faith in the government and recognize that deep down, we will not perish. Last but surely not least, Obama appeals to logos in his speech.
He opens his appeal with a short paragraph addressing the American people. He promises that repairing our nation will be a long, steep road, and that we may not get there in one year, or even one term, but we will surely get there. This short little number appeals to logos because he is being realistic. He educates the nation on the struggles ahead without sugarcoating. The President asks that we stick together, even when we don’t agree with every decision or policy he makes, keeping in mind that he only has our best interest at heart. He alludes to the financial depression, saying “let us remember that if this financial crisis has taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers- in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people” (680). By alluding to past difficulties he is appealing to logos. Obama also uses allusion when he refers to Abraham Lincoln bringing the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity into the White House (681). Logos is used in allusion because he is bringing up the past; ways we can mold ourselves from it and ways we can make a difference. Reasoning is part of Barack Obamas plan for the United States to reach its full
potential. Obama uses the three appeals in his victory speech, “Election Night Remarks”, to get through to his audience. By appealing to ethos, he develops a trust among the nation. Appealing to pathos let’s America see the regular, everyday side to him. Lastly, appealing to pathos lets America know that he has a plan in mind, and he’s ready to make things happen. Yes he can!