Rhetorical Analysis of JFK's 1961 Inaugural Speech
Sakura Blossom
In early 1961, the United States of America was in the middle of dealing with racial tensions
and inequalities on the home-front, as well as the fight against Communism and the Cold War
internationally. The American people were concerned with the state of their country and the
seemingly never-ending possibilities of yet another devastating war. However, they were
optimistic about the young president they had elected a few months earlier to lead their
country. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn into office on January 20, 1961 at the age of 43.
His inaugural address to the American citizens on that day gave the people a sense of comfort
and confidence in their young leader that was desperately needed at the time.
John F. Kennedy begins his inaugural speech by using antithesis to emphasize the importance of
his victory in the presidential race. Kennedy describes his victory as “symbolizing an end, as
well as a beginning -- signifying renewal, as well as change.” He then appeals to the pathos of
his audience by using several effective choices of diction. By describing the responsibilities
passed on to the new generation of Americans, Kennedy invokes nationalistic feelings in the
listening citizens. He points to the resiliency of the United States and the need for the people
to continue to support the ideals of freedom that have made the country so successful. The
people were challenged to “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we
shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe,
to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” Kennedy successfully appeals to the pathos of
the audience in order to establish his views to be elaborated in the rest of his speech.
In the next portion of his address, John F. Kennedy discusses his international views. He
strategically uses anaphora to break his ideas into segments. After saying that the United
States under his presidency will pledge to achieve several different things, he explains what
the pledges are in segments beginning with “to.” It effectively separates his ideas and lets his
audience know he is beginning to speak of a different pledge than the one before. Kennedy
pledges that the United States will unify with other countries even if their viewpoints are much
different than those of our great country. In Kennedy’s mind, we must retain our old allies
because “divided, there is little we can do.” He also pledges to help those countries that are
less fortunate than the United States not for power or political reasons, but because it is
morally right. He then finishes off his anaphoric pledges by promising relief to bordering
countries, renewing the United States’ support of the United Nations, and by requesting
peaceful relations with other countries in the world. Kennedy’s dedicated and confident tone
throughout this portion of the address gives the audience a reassuring sense of belief in their
new leader.
The next section of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech has some similarities to the preceding
portion. Once again, Kennedy uses anaphora to emphasize his points. However, rather than
focusing on his international views regarding helping other countries in need, Kennedy focuses
on the importance of preventing another violent war. He begins this portion of the speech by
cleverly inserting a trope to explain what the United States’ policy should be about negotiation
with other countries: “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”
He then proceeds to address the prevention of war by beginning all of his ideas and viewpoints
with the phrase “let both sides.” During this section, Kennedy uses logos effectively to explain
why it is logical to avoid war. Kennedy urges “both sides” to help each other through problems
rather than letting the problems divide the countries, to focus on the positive effects that
science can have on society rather than its harmful effects, and to unite in order to create a
world “where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.” These pleas
for a peaceful world were exactly what the American people needed to hear at a time when
war was the last thing anyone wanted for the United States.
Sakura’s uncle, Yuske, has a doctorate in oratory and he just went crazy on JFK’s speech.
(The rhetorical techniques used are shown in bold print, followed by their name in capital latters in
brackets. I have highlighted the important terms in RED)
"We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom,
(ANTITHESIS) symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as
change (PARALLELISM). For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath
our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms
of human poverty and all forms of human life (ANAPHORA) And yet the same revolutionary
beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief that the rights
of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God (ANTITHESIS),
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from
this time and place, tofriend and foe (ALLITERATION) alike, that the torch has been
passed (METAPHOR) to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by
war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage (PARALLELISM)
and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has
always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any
burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe (PARALLELISM) to assure
the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge (ANASTROPHE) -- and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful
friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is
little we can do (ANTITHESIS) for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split
asunder.
To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one
form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron
tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall
always (ANAPHORA) hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom -- and to
remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the
tiger (METAPHOR) ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass
misery(ALLITERATION), we pledge our best efforts to help them help
themselves (CONDUPLICATIO), for whatever period is required -- not because the communists
may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right (ANAPHORA).
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are
rich (PARALLELISM).
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge: to convert our good words
into good deeds(CONDUPLICATIO) in a new alliance for progress, to assist free men and free
governments (CONDUPLICATIO) in casting off the chains of poverty (METAPHOR). But this
peaceful revolution of hope (METAPHOR) cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our
neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the
Americas.
And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own
house (METAPHOR).
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age
where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of
peace (CONDUPLICATIO), we renew our pledge of support -- to prevent it from becoming merely
a forum for invective, to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak, and to enlarge the area in
which its writ may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a
request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace -- before the dark powers of
destruction (ALLITERATION) unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental
self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt
can we be certain beyond doubt (PARALLELISM) that they will never be employed. But neither
can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course -- both sides
overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady
spread (ALLITERATION) of the deadly atom, yet both (ANAPHORA) racing to alter that
uncertain balance of terror (METAPHOR) that stays the hand of mankind's final war. So let us
begin anew -- remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is
always subject to proof.
Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate (CHIASMUS).
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which
divide us(ANTITHESIS).
Let both sides , for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and
control of arms, and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute
control (CONDUPLICATIO) of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let
us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean
depths (ASYNDETON) and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides (ANAPHORA) unite to heed, in all corners of the earth, the command of Isaiah -to " undo the heavy burdens . . . [and] let the oppressed go free ." (SENTENTIA)
And if a beachhead of cooperation (METAPHOR) may push back the jungle of
suspicion (METAPHOR), let both sides join in creating a new endeavor -- not a new balance of
power, but a new world of law -- where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the
peace preserved ( POLYSYNDETON ).
All this will not be finished in the first one 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 (ANAPHORA). But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our
course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to
give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to
service surround the globe.
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 (ANAPHORA) year in and year out, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease
( ASYNDETON ), and war itself
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global (ALLITERATION) alliance, North and
South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that
historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending
freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it. I do
not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other
generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion (ASYNDETON) which we bring to this endeavor
will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can
do for your country (ANTIMETABOLE )
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 (ANTIMETABOLE)
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high
standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure
reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love
( ALLITERATION ) , asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work
must truly be our own."