John F Kennedy Jfk Speech Analysis

The counter culture era also known as the sixties was an era to remember. The sixties era involved wars, poverty, diversity, culture, fashion, and a decline in the economy. During the sixties the leader of the “free world” was President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was a Harvard graduate who held the best interest of the American people. On April 11, 1962 the United States was emerging from a time of recession when some of the largest steel companies raised their steel prices. Kennedy responded to the rise of the still prices within 24 hours. On April 11,1962 Kennedy gave a speech addressing the rise of steel prices. Kennedys main goal was to lower the costs of steel. In the “JFK Speech” Kennedy uses tone, word choice, and repetition to convince
His anger led him to respond to steel companies a day after they made the decision to raise prices. Throughout his speech Kennedy expresses to the public that he is on their side, and wants what is best for the nations economy. He also expresses his dislike for the actions of the steel companies for raising prices of steel. He shows sever outrage in the decision steel companies decided to make. Kennedy uses tone to showcase his anger and outrage due to the rise of steel prices. Kennedy begins his speech by stating that “actions of United States Steel and other leading steel companies…. constitute a wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance of the public interest.” Kennedys phrase holly unjustifiable shows he is angry because he feels like the companies do not have a good enough reasoning for their dramatic decision to increase prices. The authority of the word unjustifiable states that he is outraged that steel companies would raise prices. However later in his speech he states on lines 13-14 that “sacrifices are being asked of every citizen, the American people will find it hard as I do to accept a situation in which a tiny handful of steel executive’s pursuit of power and profit…. can show utter contempt for the interests of 185 million Americans”. Kennedy expresses to the public that he is extremely angry that the steel companies would have this “worthlessness” of the public. This holds
Kennedys angry tone allows the audience to believe that he wants something to be done about the price rise. Kennedys use of word choice engages the public into this idea that the steel industry did not really think about what raised prices would do to the economy. However, his use of repetition convinces the public that if the prices stay where they are not only will the economy be effected, so will they. Personally I think Kennedys speech was extremely effective because he gained the respect and trust of the American