While Kennedy’s respect for traditions of the past is appropriate for the occasion and underpinned by artful rhetoric, his optimistic yet cautious look to the future marks him as a youthful, energetic leader. Mr. Kennedy does a fantastic job with his writing including all aspects of the rhetorical triangle, as well as many examples of rhetorical devices.
Kennedy makes many allusions throughout his speech when he talks of changing not only America, but also the world, the references to the nuclear bombing during World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and many more historical events. He includes repetition, parallel structure, comparison, juxtaposition, anaphora, oxymorons, and more.
Kennedy immediately uses ethos in his speech as he addresses those who hold a position in office before him. “Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens, 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.” (lines 1-5). Those who he preceded in office were from a different political party, his use of ethos stops him from rubbing in his win to the other party, so to speak. He is establishing himself as a president, who focuses on unity.
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Logos is also present throughout the speech using facts and analogies, mainly; Kennedy puts the world into five different categories and how he feels he will contribute to each of them. Kennedy utilizes an analogy by recounting the spread of Communism from Russia to second world countries such as Cuba as a reminder that “those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside,” (line 31-32), meaning the spread of Communism would demonstrate purposeless to those who received its ideologies.
He uses the Cold War and the facts that came with the war (the weapons used, the space race, etc.) to make recommendations for a potential rebounding with Russia: “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. 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 of all nations.” (line 68-71). Kennedy also uses references to the bible to show his Christian views to the audience.
To add onto ethos and logos, pathos is communicated in the section. Kennedy makes his audience feel assured by how he will be as a president as well as his decisions. Kennedy discusses American patriotism a lot throughout his speech. “Let the word go forth from this time and place to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed 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- 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,” (line 12-18).
This quote gives his audience a feeling of patriotism, as well as make them feel confident in their new leader. He talks of America’s founding fathers and finds parallels between the first revolution and America’s current group of citizens and how they vary, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage.” After his portion of his speech about the patriotic mind and actions, Kennedy asks the American people for their help, to unite the world making it a better and safer place.
In conclusion, Kennedy does a great job at establishing ethos, pathos, and logos throughout his inaugural address as well as using many examples of rhetorical devices. He uses all those listed and more to help bring reassurance to the American people about the changes that will hopefully positively impact the world under his care.
