JFK Inaugural Address Analysis

Somil Jain
Mrs. Russo
Honors English 9
January 27, 2015

A Speech to Remember
One of the most influential and popular presidents in the history of the United States of America began his legacy with possibly the greatest inauguration speech of all time. The 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural speech dictates the freedoms and goals that the world will witness after the Cold war during his presidency. Kennedy writes to impress and inspire his listeners regarding the statement that under his presidency, all of the United States will serve to instill the values of freedom and liberty throughout the world and will stop at nothing to reach their goal. He speaks in a liberating tone throughout his speech in order to instill in his listeners in America and around the world the emotions associated with liberty and freedom he tries to convey. Through his uses of antithesis, anaphora, and alliteration, Kennedy delivers his inaugural address in such a way that not only does it inspire his listeners and expand his public support, but also becomes a speech remembered for ages.
John F. Kennedy's plethora of rhetorical devices used in his speech, including but not limited to antithesis, anaphora, and alliteration are important aspects of what make his speech so memorable today. Kennedy commences his address by acknowledging his party's electoral victory, and incorporating the symbols of freedom and renewal into his victory. To start off his unforgettable speech, Kennedy dictates many polar terms to show what change he will conduct and orates, "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." By using such opposing terms in his deliverance, Kennedy is able to manifest signs in the eyes of his audience across the world how his term as president will bring change in the form of freedom and virtue. By incorporating words such as "beginning" and "change" that contrast with words like "end", he clarifies how he will bring an end to the the suffering in that of poverty, grief, and helplessness that the Cold War has brought upon the world, and begin new era. In his speech, Kennedy articulates his and his country's promise and commitment of liberty, equality, and peace through his usage of anaphora to address all individuals throughout the world. Kennedy pledges to all nations and individuals across the globe his promises of change for freedom and equality: "To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share…To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free…To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe…To our sister republics south of our border…To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations…Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer…the quest for peace. " Through the anaphora of words describing who Kennedy is addressing, Kennedy is able to emphasize his point regarding the global impacts of his term. By applying this anaphora, he strikes the audience with a sense of global pride and freedom, and unifies the world with the idea that everyone can play an equal role in changing society for the better. Throughout Kennedy's inaugural address, the use of alliteration is seen constantly in describing a variety of different themes. When designating his help to the poor across the globe who suffering due to the Cold War, Kennedy describes them as "break[ing] the bonds" of "mass misery." Then later, to galvanize the American people into acting upon the virtues he dictates, he entails onto them to "lead" the "land" we "love." Through his countless use of alliteration to put forth various arguments and ideas, Kennedy is able to constitute his statements as memorable and lasting in the minds of the world. By putting easily flowing arguments forward, Kennedy is able to get his message regarding his promises of freedom and peace clearly across to the public, as well as instill pride and motive in his fellow Americans through the rousing ideals of leadership.
Through his usage of antithesis, anaphora, and alliteration, John. F Kennedy delivers one of the most influential and impacting inaugural addresses and speeches in American history. By comparing his ideas regarding world freedom and peace with the suffering of the Cold War through antithesis, and delineating his term as that of a new beginning, Kennedy signifies meaningful and promising change in the eyes of America and the world. Through his usage of anaphora to repeat phrases, as well as his usage of antithesis to repeat starting consonant sounds, Kennedy not only amplifies his impacts with the appeals of a global solution, but also harnessed the ability to be remembered by all individuals. Through these rhetorical devices, as well many others, Kennedy creates a speech that relates to people across the world from a variety of backgrounds, and allows him to receive support for his ideals of global peace and prosperity on a large scale. This use of rhetorical devices is what has made Kennedy's inaugural address so unforgettable today, and is one the reasons his speech has invoked the praise of readers ever since. Most importantly; however, John F. Kennedy's speech has impacted world history and the modern times in a manner unlike that of any speech that has preceded it. Kennedy's inaugural address has marked the first notion of true global peace.




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