John F Kennedy Ich Bin Ein Berliner Speech Analysis
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“Ich bin ein Berliner”
By John F. Kennedy
Summary
On June 26th, 1963, John F. Kennedy delivered his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech to the city of West Berlin. Kennedy gave this speech while the world was in the midst of the war between communism and democracy, to a people who had been torn and divided because of it. The Berlin Wall had been erected only two years prior, and thousands of relatives and loved ones were separated. Kennedy commends the Berliners for their bravery and steadfastness to freedom, denounces the communists for separating the German people, and calls the audience to keep fighting for equality not only in Berlin or Germany, but around the world. Kennedy uses the Berlin Wall as a physical symbol to …show more content…
represent the failures of communism, and tells the audience that any supporters of communism need only come to Berlin to realize their own fallacy. He states that he is amazed that a city besieged by communism could continue to stand strong for 18 years, and he claims proudly, in German, that he is a free man, and therefore a Berliner. This speech is one of Kennedy’s most notable and served to give the divided and scarred German nation a much needed boost in morale.
Vocabulary
None
Rhetorical Strategies with Examples and Discussion
Appeal to Authority
In the beginning of his speech, Kennedy starts by saying that he is honored to be the guest of West Berlin’s mayor, to be able to visit West Germany with its Chancellor, and to be travelling with the General Clay, for whom the audience gives a vociferous cheer. Kennedy draws upon these people’s positions and power to distinguish his own position to the audience, and to begin to build his trust and connection with them. Because Kennedy is the Mayor’s guest,that means that the Mayor has invited Kennedy to Berlin, showing that the he respects Kennedy and probably agrees with what he has to say. Kennedy states that the Mayor represents the “fighting spirit of West Berlin”, that the Chancellor has “committed Germany to democracy and freedom and progress”, and that General Clay has “been in this city during its great moments of crisis”. By lauding these figures, Kennedy empowers them, and therefore empowers himself to the audience. Because Kennedy is associating himself with these heroic figures, it can be assumed that they support him, therefore making Kennedy heroic by association.
Allusion/Pathos
Kennedy states that in the past, the proudest claim was “civis Romanus sum”, but that today, the proudest boast is “Ich bin ein Berliner”. This rhetoric does several things. The allusion emphasizes the phrase, and gives it more meaning. Rome was the greatest city in the world in its time, and by relating Rome to Berlin, Kennedy is implying that Berlin is now the greatest city in the world. This is an immense compliment to the citizens of Berlin, making them feel proud of their city and their accomplishments. Kennedy doubles the pathos of this statement by saying it in German, “Ich bin ein Berliner”, immediately relating himself to the audience and causing them to feel an even greater sense of achievement.
Repetition/Pathos
Towards the beginning of this speech, Kennedy states that there are some who cannot see the great flaws in communism, but that they need only “come to Berlin” to see these flaws. Kennedy does this several times, stating a positive view of communism, and then responding/refuting this opinion with “Let them come to Berlin”. He says this phrase a total of five times, once in German at the climax of this portion of the speech. This supports Kennedy’s purpose of showing and reassuring the audience of the shortcomings of communism, very simply and very effectively.
Polysyndeton/Pathos
Kennedy praises Berlin for standing strong against communism for almost two decades, and claims that he has never heard of another city that has accomplished a similar feat. Kennedy states that he knows of no place that, after 18 years of besiegement, still lives with “the vitality and the force and the hope and the determination of the city of West Berlin”. Again, another obvious compliment is given by Kennedy to the Berliners, appealing to their sense of pride and accomplishment. This furthers the audience’s connection with Kennedy, leading them to trust and follow him even more. The polysyndeton serves to emphasize the attributes Kennedy is giving to Berlin, adding weight to his words and allowing him to accentuate said attributes.
Kennedy states that although the Berlin Wall has become a physical symbol of communism’s failure, that no one feels any happiness or satisfaction at its making because it is “dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters”. The use of polysyndeton emphasizes Kennedy’s point here, and appeals to the audience’s pathos by reminding them of their own family members and loved ones whom they have lost to the separation. The use of “and” several times adds weight to the statement, making it seem as though the list of those divided goes on and on, as well as allows Kennedy to pause before each name he lists and emphasize it further.
Metaphor
Towards the end of the speech, Kennedy claims that Berlin is a “defended island of freedom”, but that the Berliners and the Germans are still part of the whole picture, part of the entire world. This metaphor gives a nice description of Berlin, depicting it as its own entity, fighting for its rights. However, Kennedy reminds Berlin that although it may be a sort of “island” that it is still a part of the world and owes some of itself to the bigger picture. This metaphor serves as a good introduction into Kennedy’s point. He wants these people, who may feel secluded and alone, to try and imagine an entire world of freedom, free of communism, and to encourage them to work towards finding that world not only for themselves but also for others.
Deductive Reasoning/Pathos
The last lines of Kennedy’s speech read: “All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner.” Kennedy uses deductive reasoning here to come to his ultimate conclusion. He states that all men who are free are citizens of Berlin. Kennedy is a free man. Therefore, Kennedy is a citizen of Berlin, or as he famously states, “Ich bin ein Berliner”. Kennedy is seen once again appealing to the Berliners sense of pride and morals, and by claiming himself as one of them, he fully connects himself to the audience. The deductive reasoning leads perfectly into the legendary “Ich bin ein Berliner” statement, for which this speech is named. One distinctive feature of this speech is that it is effectively simplistic, letting Kennedy get his points across in an easy to understand yet very efficient way. Using deductive reasoning to make his last point therefore seems quite appropriate, and is, like the rest of his speech, extremely effective.
Diction
This speech is wrought with hopeful and confident diction. Kennedy’s ultimate goal of this speech is to encourage the West Germans once more, to not let them give in to the communists, and to give them pride and confidence in their achievements. The diction he uses clearly illustrates this. Kennedy speaks of Berlin’s “fighting spirit”, and of how he has never heard of another city that has been “besieged” for so long that “still lives with the vitality and the force and the hope and determination” of West Berlin. He also describes the city as a “defended island of freedom”, and claims that “all free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin”. Kennedy uses the words “free” or “freedom” fifteen times throughout this speech. He is not only denouncing the communist’s system of government by claiming the non-communist nations as the “free world”, but reminding the Berliners that they are lucky, and that their freedom is something precious and worth defending. Constant use of the word “free” in relation to Berlin helps the audience begin to associate that word with the city, and make them strive even harder to let Berlin live up to its image as a place of freedom. Words such as “pride”, “hope”, “peace”, and “justice” are also repeated several times, reinforcing the hopeful and determined tone of Kennedy’s message. Also, the use of German phrases serves to connect Kennedy further to his audience, giving weight and meaning to the most important parts of his speech.
Response I chose this speech because I visited Berlin over the summer, and it was there that I first heard of Kennedy’s famous words, “Ich bin ein Berliner”.
During my trip, the group of students I travelled with visited several historic sites and museums that related to the division of Germany after World War II, including the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the German Democratic Republic Museum, and the Berlin Wall. During the tours of these places, we heard many real life accounts of how life was in East Germany, how families were torn apart by the Wall, how so many were killed in attempts to escape the communist sector, and how deeply and significantly the Wall scarred the German nation. The tour guide who showed us the Berlin Wall actually grew up in East Germany, and he told us of how after the Wall fell he discovered that his mother was paid by the GDR to marry his dad and spy on him for the government. I was able to meet some of the people who were affected most by this period of history, and it made me feel much closer to them and to the situation as a whole. Hearing Kennedy speaking to these people before this terrible period had ended for them was a very moving experience for me, and I’m very glad to have the chance to analyze this
speech. Kennedy gave this speech two years after the Berlin Wall was erected, separating Germany into East and West, communist and democratic. At the time, the US was in the midst of the Cold War against the communist Soviet Union, and was attempting to limit the spread of communism in other parts of the world. I believe Kennedy’s purpose was not only to encourage the West Berliners to keep fighting for their rights as free people, but also to spell out the shortcomings of communism. It is very clear from the beginning of this speech, even if one had never heard of communism, that JFK greatly disapproves of it and believes it to be an evil system. Part of the purpose of this speech is to prove Kennedy’s position, which he makes very obvious from the beginning through the same methods that he uses to achieve his purpose. Kennedy uses compelling diction throughout the speech to connect to his audience, speaking German at the climaxes of his arguments. He praises the West Berliners for staying true to the morals of democracy, even when under so much pressure to fall to communism. He states that the proudest claim today that a person can make is not that one is a Roman, but that one is a Berliner, because Berlin is comprised of only free people. The pathos, diction, and repetition are used firstly to connect the audience to Kennedy, and through this connection to encourage them even further to remain strong against the face of adversity and to renew their conviction in the war against communism. At one point in the speech Kennedy speaks of the different positive views that some people have of communism, and says that these people should simply “come to Berlin” to realize the error of these opinions. The simple repetition of “Let them come to Berlin” serves to excite the audience, as well as refute the positive points that some would try to make of the communist system in a very clear and concise way. At one point Kennedy states the line in German, sending the audience into a deafening applause. Overall, I believe this speech was very effective in achieving its purpose of renewing the West German’s resolve and in reassuring them of the flaws of communism.
“Ich bin ein Berliner”
By John F. Kennedy
Summary
On June 26th, 1963, John F. Kennedy delivered his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech to the city of West Berlin. Kennedy gave this speech while the world was in the midst of the war between communism and democracy, to a people who had been torn and divided because of it. The Berlin Wall had been erected only two years prior, and thousands of relatives and loved ones were separated. Kennedy commends the Berliners for their bravery and steadfastness to freedom, denounces the communists for separating the German people, and calls the audience to keep fighting for equality not only in Berlin or Germany, but around the world. Kennedy uses the Berlin Wall as a physical symbol to …show more content…
represent the failures of communism, and tells the audience that any supporters of communism need only come to Berlin to realize their own fallacy. He states that he is amazed that a city besieged by communism could continue to stand strong for 18 years, and he claims proudly, in German, that he is a free man, and therefore a Berliner. This speech is one of Kennedy’s most notable and served to give the divided and scarred German nation a much needed boost in morale.
Vocabulary
None
Rhetorical Strategies with Examples and Discussion
Appeal to Authority
In the beginning of his speech, Kennedy starts by saying that he is honored to be the guest of West Berlin’s mayor, to be able to visit West Germany with its Chancellor, and to be travelling with the General Clay, for whom the audience gives a vociferous cheer. Kennedy draws upon these people’s positions and power to distinguish his own position to the audience, and to begin to build his trust and connection with them. Because Kennedy is the Mayor’s guest,that means that the Mayor has invited Kennedy to Berlin, showing that the he respects Kennedy and probably agrees with what he has to say. Kennedy states that the Mayor represents the “fighting spirit of West Berlin”, that the Chancellor has “committed Germany to democracy and freedom and progress”, and that General Clay has “been in this city during its great moments of crisis”. By lauding these figures, Kennedy empowers them, and therefore empowers himself to the audience. Because Kennedy is associating himself with these heroic figures, it can be assumed that they support him, therefore making Kennedy heroic by association.
Allusion/Pathos
Kennedy states that in the past, the proudest claim was “civis Romanus sum”, but that today, the proudest boast is “Ich bin ein Berliner”. This rhetoric does several things. The allusion emphasizes the phrase, and gives it more meaning. Rome was the greatest city in the world in its time, and by relating Rome to Berlin, Kennedy is implying that Berlin is now the greatest city in the world. This is an immense compliment to the citizens of Berlin, making them feel proud of their city and their accomplishments. Kennedy doubles the pathos of this statement by saying it in German, “Ich bin ein Berliner”, immediately relating himself to the audience and causing them to feel an even greater sense of achievement.
Repetition/Pathos
Towards the beginning of this speech, Kennedy states that there are some who cannot see the great flaws in communism, but that they need only “come to Berlin” to see these flaws. Kennedy does this several times, stating a positive view of communism, and then responding/refuting this opinion with “Let them come to Berlin”. He says this phrase a total of five times, once in German at the climax of this portion of the speech. This supports Kennedy’s purpose of showing and reassuring the audience of the shortcomings of communism, very simply and very effectively.
Polysyndeton/Pathos
Kennedy praises Berlin for standing strong against communism for almost two decades, and claims that he has never heard of another city that has accomplished a similar feat. Kennedy states that he knows of no place that, after 18 years of besiegement, still lives with “the vitality and the force and the hope and the determination of the city of West Berlin”. Again, another obvious compliment is given by Kennedy to the Berliners, appealing to their sense of pride and accomplishment. This furthers the audience’s connection with Kennedy, leading them to trust and follow him even more. The polysyndeton serves to emphasize the attributes Kennedy is giving to Berlin, adding weight to his words and allowing him to accentuate said attributes.
Kennedy states that although the Berlin Wall has become a physical symbol of communism’s failure, that no one feels any happiness or satisfaction at its making because it is “dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters”. The use of polysyndeton emphasizes Kennedy’s point here, and appeals to the audience’s pathos by reminding them of their own family members and loved ones whom they have lost to the separation. The use of “and” several times adds weight to the statement, making it seem as though the list of those divided goes on and on, as well as allows Kennedy to pause before each name he lists and emphasize it further.
Metaphor
Towards the end of the speech, Kennedy claims that Berlin is a “defended island of freedom”, but that the Berliners and the Germans are still part of the whole picture, part of the entire world. This metaphor gives a nice description of Berlin, depicting it as its own entity, fighting for its rights. However, Kennedy reminds Berlin that although it may be a sort of “island” that it is still a part of the world and owes some of itself to the bigger picture. This metaphor serves as a good introduction into Kennedy’s point. He wants these people, who may feel secluded and alone, to try and imagine an entire world of freedom, free of communism, and to encourage them to work towards finding that world not only for themselves but also for others.
Deductive Reasoning/Pathos
The last lines of Kennedy’s speech read: “All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner.” Kennedy uses deductive reasoning here to come to his ultimate conclusion. He states that all men who are free are citizens of Berlin. Kennedy is a free man. Therefore, Kennedy is a citizen of Berlin, or as he famously states, “Ich bin ein Berliner”. Kennedy is seen once again appealing to the Berliners sense of pride and morals, and by claiming himself as one of them, he fully connects himself to the audience. The deductive reasoning leads perfectly into the legendary “Ich bin ein Berliner” statement, for which this speech is named. One distinctive feature of this speech is that it is effectively simplistic, letting Kennedy get his points across in an easy to understand yet very efficient way. Using deductive reasoning to make his last point therefore seems quite appropriate, and is, like the rest of his speech, extremely effective.
Diction
This speech is wrought with hopeful and confident diction. Kennedy’s ultimate goal of this speech is to encourage the West Germans once more, to not let them give in to the communists, and to give them pride and confidence in their achievements. The diction he uses clearly illustrates this. Kennedy speaks of Berlin’s “fighting spirit”, and of how he has never heard of another city that has been “besieged” for so long that “still lives with the vitality and the force and the hope and determination” of West Berlin. He also describes the city as a “defended island of freedom”, and claims that “all free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin”. Kennedy uses the words “free” or “freedom” fifteen times throughout this speech. He is not only denouncing the communist’s system of government by claiming the non-communist nations as the “free world”, but reminding the Berliners that they are lucky, and that their freedom is something precious and worth defending. Constant use of the word “free” in relation to Berlin helps the audience begin to associate that word with the city, and make them strive even harder to let Berlin live up to its image as a place of freedom. Words such as “pride”, “hope”, “peace”, and “justice” are also repeated several times, reinforcing the hopeful and determined tone of Kennedy’s message. Also, the use of German phrases serves to connect Kennedy further to his audience, giving weight and meaning to the most important parts of his speech.
Response I chose this speech because I visited Berlin over the summer, and it was there that I first heard of Kennedy’s famous words, “Ich bin ein Berliner”.
During my trip, the group of students I travelled with visited several historic sites and museums that related to the division of Germany after World War II, including the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the German Democratic Republic Museum, and the Berlin Wall. During the tours of these places, we heard many real life accounts of how life was in East Germany, how families were torn apart by the Wall, how so many were killed in attempts to escape the communist sector, and how deeply and significantly the Wall scarred the German nation. The tour guide who showed us the Berlin Wall actually grew up in East Germany, and he told us of how after the Wall fell he discovered that his mother was paid by the GDR to marry his dad and spy on him for the government. I was able to meet some of the people who were affected most by this period of history, and it made me feel much closer to them and to the situation as a whole. Hearing Kennedy speaking to these people before this terrible period had ended for them was a very moving experience for me, and I’m very glad to have the chance to analyze this
speech. Kennedy gave this speech two years after the Berlin Wall was erected, separating Germany into East and West, communist and democratic. At the time, the US was in the midst of the Cold War against the communist Soviet Union, and was attempting to limit the spread of communism in other parts of the world. I believe Kennedy’s purpose was not only to encourage the West Berliners to keep fighting for their rights as free people, but also to spell out the shortcomings of communism. It is very clear from the beginning of this speech, even if one had never heard of communism, that JFK greatly disapproves of it and believes it to be an evil system. Part of the purpose of this speech is to prove Kennedy’s position, which he makes very obvious from the beginning through the same methods that he uses to achieve his purpose. Kennedy uses compelling diction throughout the speech to connect to his audience, speaking German at the climaxes of his arguments. He praises the West Berliners for staying true to the morals of democracy, even when under so much pressure to fall to communism. He states that the proudest claim today that a person can make is not that one is a Roman, but that one is a Berliner, because Berlin is comprised of only free people. The pathos, diction, and repetition are used firstly to connect the audience to Kennedy, and through this connection to encourage them even further to remain strong against the face of adversity and to renew their conviction in the war against communism. At one point in the speech Kennedy speaks of the different positive views that some people have of communism, and says that these people should simply “come to Berlin” to realize the error of these opinions. The simple repetition of “Let them come to Berlin” serves to excite the audience, as well as refute the positive points that some would try to make of the communist system in a very clear and concise way. At one point Kennedy states the line in German, sending the audience into a deafening applause. Overall, I believe this speech was very effective in achieving its purpose of renewing the West German’s resolve and in reassuring them of the flaws of communism.