The King's Speech

The King’s Speech

When I think about the film The King’s Speech I think of personal problem and courage. King Gorge VI had a personal problem and that he stammered. This problem made him unable to do his task like giving speech to people. He tried hard to overcome this problem. Sometimes he got disappointed and felt he failed and is not a good fit for his job. I saw how he sometimes became hopeless and disappointed. Also courage comes in my mind when I think of this film. The King decided to give up and convinced that he cannot overcome his personal problem. However, it was his wife and the therapist who gave him the courage and convinced him that he can succeed and win this challenge. With the help of the therapist and his wife he eventually did get better and better and he almost overcome his problem.
The king was really disappointed about his speech impediment and felt that his disability was a big challenge to his success because he was not able to talk. As a king he had to address his speech and talk to people directly. As he was an important person and had great responsibility he had to speak out his decisions. However, he was not able to and every time he was trying to talk he stammered and could not talk at all. It is really tough to not be able to talk especially when the king has to talk and give speech to his people no matter what problem he is facing. As a king giving speech is the most important task that he needs to do. The particular scene that stands out in my mind is when the King gave his first war speech through radio broadcasting. This speech was the declaration of war against Nazi Germany and the King’s first victory of talking without stutter. Before this incident the King was not able to finish even one sentence when he was trying to give a speech. Accomplishing this speech was a big relieve for the King, his wife, his therapist and for everyone. I also cried out and felt very happy for the King’s success. I realize how difficult can be when a person has some kind of personal problem. And overcome such problem is indeed a great success. The qualities that King Gorge VI possess and I admire is the fact that he was determined. Although there were time that he got disappointed and felt that he cannot overcome his speech impediment. However, when he listened to his wife and his therapist that his problem was curable and that he could talk like a normal person. It was his determination that he regularly visited his therapist and that he built a long lasting friendship with him. Most important he did accomplish his goal and that he did defeat his weakness. I can apply his quality of determination to my role as a student by being determined about my task and responsibility in college. For example as a student I should be determined that I need to be successful in my lessons so that I can incorporate my learning in my career and in real life. After watching this film I realized how difficult can be personal challenge. Regardless of what a person’s problem is if he/she is facing some kind of personal difficulties they should be helped out. Like the King’s wife was very supportive and helped her husband every step. She found the therapist and believed that her husband’s illness is curable. I think getting support or seeking for help is very important. Also I realize how a person can be helpless when struggling with personal disabilities and to accept and be open to any kind of service. For example Lionel Logue was not a doctor and even when King Gorge found out about this fact he still accepted him to be his therapist because he knew he could help him and understood his illness. When I first saw King Gorge how difficult he was trying to say even one word I thought that he would never be able to talk like a normal person. However, I was amazed when he gave his first speech and without any difficulties. I realized that King Gorge’s success was not without belief, courage and hard work as well continues support. As a King he had big responsibilities, and to carry his duties at best he had to overcome his personal weakness and he did. In chapter 9, one of the topic is about public speaking and talks how important is to speak loudly and clearly so that your message can be understand. It also talked about great speakers whose speech was not understood because of mumbling words or not being able to project their voice clearly. Therefore, vocal delivery is very important and the speech cannot be understand without volume, pace and pronunciation as well as variation. We saw that King Gorge was missing all of these aspects in his speech in the beginning and his voice was not even heard. As the result he was disappointed and so his audience. We see that Lionel Logue the King’s therapist and his wife both were sources of support and comfort for the King and they were trying their best to make the King find his voice and be able to talk. Mr. Logue was emphasizing on physical activities like muscle stretching. Also he played background music when the King was giving speech. This method reminds of stress management lesson we learned in this course. We learned how stress can be bad for a person’s health and well-being and taking care of it is very important as stress can lead to many illness. Exercising and muscle relaxation were some of the treatments for stress management. In conclusion, everything is possible with determination, courage, and support as well as patience and hard work. The queen and the therapist were both sources of support and courage for the King. The king was hopeless and thought he would never be able to give speech. However, it took him hard work and patience and eventually he did overcome his personal challenge. Firth, C. (Performer), Rush, G. (Performer), & Carter, H. (Performer) (2010). The king's speech [DVD].