Introduction
John F. Kennedy is one of the most outstanding presidents in American history and is mainly remembered for his inauguration speech. His speech forms an essential piece of rhetorical analysis to describe his desire for a united America. The Declaration of Independence also marks a pivotal moment in the history of American leadership.
It entails a document prepared by Thomas Jefferson over two and a half centuries ago outlining the challenges faced under British rule. He aimed for the country’s liberation, which contained a resounding message that the Continental Congress adopted. President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration address and the Declaration of Independence indicate a leadership that desired to rally support in defeating the challenges and oppression the U.S. faced.
President John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration Speech Rhetorical Analysis
Rhetorical devices help enhance the quality of a speech by enhancing the audience’s impression, highlighting the key points, and sincerely expressing the speaker’s emotions. Kennedy’s inauguration speech was rich in the use of devices. He engages in parallelism to stimulate the audience to consider his victory a moment of liberation.
The statement captures this, “…symbolizing an end as well as a beginning — signifying renewal as well as change” (Torgesen). Parallelism is used repeatedly to persuade the public with additional statements, such as “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” (Torgesen). The statement has remained a key fixture in remembering President John F. Kennedy, as it resonated well with the audience.
The speech further displays the use of antithesis as defined by its symmetrical organization and arrangement. The words, phrases, and clauses were arranged beautifully, further contrasting his desires. For instance, he indicates that “united, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do…” (Murphy, 3). Metaphors have been employed to enhance the appeal of the language. The speech states, “Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside” (Torgesen). He aimed to indicate that the nations seeking assistance from socialist countries risked losing their sovereignty, as had been observed before.
Repetition is commonly used in speeches that Kennedy could not avoid. The rhetorical strategy has been used repeatedly, especially the term “to” in the first paragraphs, and later switches to use “let both sides” (Murphy, 4). Repetition has been used to remind the American people of the interests of all nations. It helps draw the citizens’ engagement and develop a pattern so the audience gets attached to his message.
In delivering the speech, Kennedy demonstrated exceptional speaking abilities in conveying a message of unity and collaboration. The president used the inauguration speech to advocate for the togetherness and vigilance of the American people. He considered the support essential in combating disease, tyranny, war, and poverty using repetition, parallelism, and antithesis. Using rhetorical devices enabled him to convince the American people to show respect for their country.
The Declaration of Independence: Features, Efficacy, and American History
The Declaration of Independence is the primary document defining the establishment of American independence. The document was a product of five individuals, but Thomas Jefferson was the primary contributor. It was written at a key moment when British soldiers fought with other American colonialists. The document contains five key units, including the introduction, preamble, body of two sections, and conclusion (Hess and James, 34). The introduction outlines the need for America to be liberated from British rule.
The preamble carries the document’s central message, which emphasizes the need for unity. According to Hess and James (36), the section is chronologically developed. It shows a flow of thought connecting the creation of humanity, the development of institutionalized governance, and the downfall of governments. In particular, the section describes how governments can be overthrown when they do not rise to defend the people’s rights.
In addition, the preamble describes how new governments get to be created to better serve the citizenry through greater protection and the enjoyment of their rights. The Declaration of Independence argues that “all men are created equal.” The statement is equated to specific rights that people should not be denied, such as the right to be free and live (Yenne, 21). The key message of this section, which forms one of the remarkable features of the document, is individual rights and liberties.
The focus on people’s rights represents a radical departure from the prevailing political philosophy of the time. According to Hess and James (29), the British rulers considered other people inferior and formed subjects of the state. The failure of the ruling administration to protect those rights bestowed upon the people is the duty to unseat that government and create one that would protect those privileges.
The main body of the Declaration of Independence provides a list of grievances that the team wanted to be addressed by the British crown. The American people had been subjected to an invocation of abuses relating to denying their unalienable rights. Troops invaded their homes; the administration levied taxes without providing key necessities, and unfair trials (Hess and James, 27). This added to the need for the colonies to seek independence from British rule and form their own autonomous country.
Another prominent feature is the distinction between the American people and the British. The Declaration of Independence referred to Americans as “one people,” while the British were labeled as “another” (Hess and James, 29). The terms carried key interpretations and helped to serve critical strategic functions. The first aim was to indicate that America and England were unequal and that breaking away was essential for advancing the human course. The two groups not only differed politically, but there were apparent social, intellectual, moral, and cultural differences.
The Declaration of Independence adequately defined America’s future. The oppressed individuals ensured they made their stand known, and the document helped gather support and inspire them to seek independence. It helped convey that the American colonies opposed the British regime (Yenne, 21). This helped galvanize international support and recognition of America as an independent nation that aimed to fight for people’s rights.
Thomas Jefferson fulfilled one of his key objectives: communicating the American people’s resentment against British rule. The aim involved declaring America as a sovereign country to the world. Yenne (33) states that Jefferson sought to set the stage for a broader ideological plan that involved reshaping the rule of law, individual liberty, and equality. He felt these ideals must be promoted and aimed to create the foundation upon which the American people would enjoy their freedoms.
Conclusion
Kennedy’s remarkable reign as President of the United States of America all started with his inauguration address. The president espoused excellent oratory skills, communicating a message of unity and cooperation. He used repetition, parallelism, and antithesis to construct and deliver a persuasive message to convince Americans to respect their country. Thomas Jefferson sought the same through the Declaration of Independence, which articulated the principles of individual liberty and the right to self-determination. Its focus on individual rights and freedoms was a revolutionary departure from the prevailing political ideology of the time.
Works Cited
Hess, Stephen, and James, Pfiffner. Organizing the Presidency. Brookings Institution Press, 2020.
Murphy, James. John F. Kennedy and the liberal persuasion. Michigan State University Press. 2019.
Torgesen, Camille. “Rhetorical Analysis of Kennedy’s Inauguration Address.” Medium. 2018. Web.
Yenne, Bill. Complete Book of Us Presidents. Crestline. 2021.