Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

Damola Badewa John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address

On a cold January afternoon in 1961, President John F. Kennedy recites an artful speech that motivates the world. While the speech’s respectful eloquence is appropriate for the occasion of an inauguration, its youthful energy and archaic words and phrases make it distinctly John F. Kennedy’s piece. President Kennedy, the youngest president, uses several word choices that make the speech effective, by appealing mainly to pathos and ethos, rather than logos. Therefore, the purpose of this speech was to try and unite the people to become stronger by improving their nation and to bring freedom to all individuals. “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” (26), incites Kennedy. John F. Kennedy reaches out to his audience
psychologically. In this quote he states that instead of people wanting the country to do everything for them, the people should start doing things for the country. This quote gives the people motivation to want and try to improve the country. Words like freedom, poverty, devotion, loyalty and sacrifice gives the speech a sense of patriotism. President Kennedy expresses patriotism by saying, “Now the trumpet summons us again – not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need – not as a call to battle, though embattled we are – but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself” (23). Though Kennedy is a young president he uses a variety of archaic phrases that makes him seem more mature for his age. The wide usage of archaic phrases including, “trumpet summons”, “bear arms”, and “long twilight struggle” connects to Americans and even history itself. This quote explains to Americans that they should work together to fight against tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. Finally, the use of parallelism, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us” (16), lets the audience process and think thoughtfully about what he is saying. President John F.
Kennedy, the first Roman Catholic President, explains how important God is to him, “…the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God” (3). Throughout his speech he makes an oath to partner up with the citizens of America to improve their nation. “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribes nearly a century and three-quarters ago” (2). Additionally, in the first paragraph Kennedy acknowledges everyone in the audience. Finally, “All this will not be finished in the first hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin” (21). These phrases involve John F. Kennedy and the world-wide audience, by using the word “our”. Kennedy is knowledgeable of the fact that this won’t be a quick job, and that it might even take decades to finish strengthening the country. This also shows his devotion towards the
country. Granted, his main idea is freedom to all individuals. This phrase assists his idea, “To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge – to convert our good words into good deeds – in a new alliance for progress – to assist free man and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty”(10). One of Kennedy’s purposes is to try and invite the people to join in by saying, “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man” (27). Another phrase that supports the main idea of freedom is “We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end as well as a beginning – signifying renewal as well as change” (2). In this phrase Kennedy does not brag about his victory of winning, but rather acknowledges the fact that with him President, there will be several changes. In general, President John F. Kennedy’s speech appeals to pathos, ethos and logos. The usage of these elements makes this an effective, artful and persuasive speech. Including, the use of youthful energy and archaic words and phrases. The purpose of his speech, to try and unite the people to become stronger by improving their nation and freedom to all individuals, was a success.