Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

895 Words4 Pages
All Mouth and Trousers Following World War II, the Cold War — lasting from 1946 to 1991 — ensued, dividing the world between two major powers: the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic. Powered by opposing perspectives (capitalism versus communism), America and the Soviet Union instigated proxy wars and the notorious arms race. As American global dominance teetered on the prospective outcomes of the Cold War, the notion of unity became prominent, influencing and strengthening political leaders’ propaganda, in hopes of rising victorious against its counterpart. A new leader that would witness and gain authority in the midst of the Cold War was John F. Kennedy, president of the United States. Within his inaugural…show more content…
Because of this, John F. Kennedy yielded a centralized inaugural speech advocating for the unification of America in a time characterized by an “iron curtain”. By applying antithesis, Kennedy subtly ingrains the reoccurring conviction of synthesis as well as clearly delineating his argument and the call to action embedded in the paragraphs. In mentioning the possibility of America and the Soviet Union unifying and “[pushing] back the jungle of suspicion” to create “not a new balance of power, but a new world of law” (para. 20), Kennedy applies antithesis in order to fabricate a definite, concise contrast between two ideas and increase emphasis on what he envisions becoming the reality of a feasible, but unlikely, coalition between two opposing powers. In this case, he pictures the idealistic emergence of a newborn world, governed by law and the assistance of every country. Another instance in which antithesis substantially communicates Kennedy’s argument of American and worldwide harmony is his plea towards colonial conquests and viable allies from these countries subjected by American imperialism. Exerting his stance on colonialism, imperialism, and America’s role in global domination, Kennedy speculates that the new states that join subjugation “shall always hope to find … [America] strongly supporting their own freedom”, while America will simultaneously “not always expect to find them supporting our view” (para. 8). Kennedy highlights America’s virtues in preserving “freedom” through unification, even if that freedom is acquired from the subduing of different countries. With the use of antithesis, Kennedy juxtaposes contrasting ideas, consequently permitting a sense of inclusiveness that although he does not agree with an idea, there is still an acknowledgement of its validity, which ultimately inclines the audience to recognize his authority in campaigning for

More about Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Open Document