Peace and Freedom throughout a Nation

Davis 1
Lauren Davis
Mrs. Burton
AP Language and Composition
5 September 2013
Peace and Freedom throughout a Nation Throughout the course of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech, he uses several persuasive appeals such as the idea of peace and freedom to inspire and gain the trust of his Nation. In the beginning of Kennedy’s speech, he mentions that America will “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend [and] oppose any foe” (par 4) for the preservation of liberty. This is an example of parallelism clauses that make clear of Kennedy’s intent to do anything it takes for the survival and liberty. Kennedy states that both sides of a conflict should join in creating “a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak are secure and the peace preserved” (par 19). Kennedy’s use of parallelism helps keep the people’s attention to help illustrate his key points of his speech. He later describes the “power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life,” (par 2) that uses that power to free the peoples of the world. Meaning we have the power to destroy ourselves but it should only be used to better our nation, and create a balance of peace and freedom in the world. During this time the United States was in the beginning of the Cold War and he knew that focuses had to be on containing Communism in order to assure the American people that they were safe. Davis 2
Kennedy constantly reminds the American people that they are a united and strong country that can make it through anything. Kennedy begins four paragraphs in a row with the same words, “To those,” (par7-8) to illustrate that he is willing to work things out with the countries America is having problems with. His use of repetition helps him remind his country that they can make it through anything in a persuasive way. He also mentions that America can solve problems with their enemies during diplomacy several times. Kennedy amplifies his desire for peace and unity when he repeats, “Let both sides” (par 14-18) he utilizes alliteration to explain his want for unity instead of division. It is brought to our attention that “if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few that are rich (par 8). In order to sustain peace and freedom throughout the nation these things like this need to be recognized. Kennedy creates a common enemy to unite the people’s pride. While discussing newly freed countries he uses a metaphor, saying, “remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by ridding the back of the tiger ended up inside” (par 7). Also when he says, “the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans” (par 3) he is using a metaphor showing that America intends to control themselves and let no one else rule them. So our Nation “should only glow from that fire [that] can truly light the world” (par 12) meaning if everyone does something to benefit the country we will succeed and live and peace. John F. Kennedy did an outstanding job with gaining the trust of his Nation during his 1961 inaugural address. The people were able to feel safe and protected with Kennedy becoming president.
Davis 3
The fear of being taken over by a Communist nation lessened, and peace and freedom was sure to come.