rhetorical analysis
Unity and World Peace After the Vietnam War, Americans had become annoyed and conflicted on the subjects of war, as well as their government. The American culture was changing as people began to realize how ‘dishonest’ and ‘untrustworthy’ some of our politicians had become. During this period society’s faults and weaknesses also became more apparent. In the midst of this changing environment, in 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected. On January 20th, 1961 John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the president of the United States before delivering one of the most famous and iconic inaugural addresses in our countries history. On that night, in disregard to the heavy snow that had fallen the night before and of the bitter cold in the air, President Kennedy stepped in front of the podium, wearing only a suit. As Kennedy began to deliver his inauguration, he began to introduce the new era of change simply by informing his audience of the trials ahead, their solutions, and all while promoting patriotism and international support. By doing so, John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech became a passionate call to action. It was the new president’s call upon his fellow citizens of America, and also of the world, to unite and achieve world peace. Kennedy’s use of rhetoric is amazing, and used to almost perfection. His use of logos, pathos and ethos are just what his audience needed to hear, and there’s really no better way he could have done it. Though faith in political leaders of the era had previously plummeted, Kennedy addressed the Americans’ who sat and observed as he delivered his speech- as well as the thousands of others watching or listening elsewhere- as a credible, passionate, humble and equal party. In the opening line of his speech Kennedy states “…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.”(pg. 1) Throughout President Kennedy’s speech, he uses the terms “we”,