JFK questions

Diction

1.     Why are so many of the words abstract? How do words like freedom, poverty, devotion, loyalty and sacrifice set the tone of the speech?

What is the tone? 

These words appeal to the listeners emotions or pathos. It allows the readers/listeners to connect with JFK because they have patriotism in common.

2.     Find examples of formal rhetorical tropes such as metaphor and personification

Metaphor: The “beach head of cooperation” pushing back the “jungle of suspicion”.

Personification: “Our sister republics” of “nor in the life of this Administration”

3.     Does Kennedy use any figures of speech that might be considered clichés? Which metaphors are fresher? Is there a pattern to their use?

Yes, “chains of poverty” is a cliché that has been used forever. The “beach head of cooperation” pushing back the “jungle of suspicion”. Is a new metaphor that I have not heard before; it is a vivid and interesting metaphor. 

4.     Do and words in the speech seem archaic, or old-fashioned? If so, what are they? What is their effect?

Yes, asunder, foe, writ and forbears seem like archaic language. This connects John F. Kennedy’s speech to formality, legend, and tradition.

Syntax

1.     The Speech is a suseccion of twenty-eight short paragraphs. Twelve paragraphs have only one sentence, eight have two, and six have three sentences. Why do you think Kennedy used these short paragraphs?

Kennedy used short paragraphs to imitate bullet points. He kept his speech short and sweet. This makes it seem like he is almost speaking normally in a conversation. If it was longer and had more drawn out words the energy would appear impersonal.

2.     The Speech contains two extremes of sentence length, ranging from 80 to 6 words. A high proportion are on the short side. Why?

The varying sentence length helps keep the listeners attention. If it were all the same sentence length then nothing would be emphasized and John F. Kennedy would sound monotone.

3.     More than twenty sentences are complex sentences.  How do complex sentences suggest hidden energy?

Although complex sentences are not as catchy as short direct phrases. They expand on JFK’s points more in depth. It's a pep talk made to inspire people to go out and do something. The sentence builds to his main point, adding energy. 

4.     The speech has many examples of antithesis in parallel grammatical structures “to those old allies”; “to those new states”; “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich”; and of course “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” what does this use of opposites suggest about the purpose of Kennedy’s speech?

Kennedy wanted to unite his audience. The rich and the poor, the young and the old. In this way he is basically saying that he wants to be president for everyone, not just one group of people.

5.     Why is the dominance of declaration sentences, which make statements, appropriate in an inaugural address?

This is his inaugural address. John F. Kennedy is making statements about his goals as a President he is not debating or faltering. In this way he bolsters the nation’s choice in their president.

6.     Paragraph 24 consists of two rhetorical questions. How do they act as a transition to Kennedy’s call for action?

Their use connects those paragraphs to the ending call for action with the theme of rhetorical questions. This provides a lead in.

7.     Find examples of rhetorical schemes such as anaphora (the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of phrases)  and zeugma ( use of two different words in a grammatically similar way but often producing two incongruous meanings).

Anaphora: “All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days…”

Zeugma: 

8.     Consider the speech ‘s many examples of parallelism: “born in this country, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage” How do they lend themselves to Kennedy’s purpose?

Parallelism allows JFK to emphasize passages. It also is used to juxtapose to opposite forces. Using parallelism sets his speech out from other more boring speeches.

9.     Kennedy uses hortative sentences. Later he uses imperative sentences. What is the difference between the two forms, and why did he start with one and end with the other?

Definition of Hortative: strongly urges the reader, or call to arms

Definition of Imperative: unavoidable, absolutely necessary

When addressing the citizens of the United States JFK uses hortative. He is stringing urging them to follow his goals. This makes it so he does not sound like a dictator. When addressing the rest of the world, however, he uses imperative sentences. It states how he will run the office, and how the western hemisphere will be treated. In this way he leaves no room for doubt or uncertainty that he will maintain control and not be pushed around.