Christina: J.F.K. Inaugral Speech Analysis

John F. Kennedy Inaugural Speech Analysis

In this, his first speech as president, John F. Kennedy makes a promise to the public that with him as president many great improvements in America and the world are guaranteed. As quoted by Kennedy, his winning the president election is “not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change.” In saying so Kennedy assures the audience that he will change America and the world for the better. In turn, the audience is assured they have made the right choice in electing him as president.

There are several references to God in this speech, as well as a verse from the book of Isaiah concerning burden and freedom which relates to America’s situation at the time. Referring to a higher power is an effective method in getting the audience’s attention and binding them, since religion is one of the few tools that can bind people of different color and class.

“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.” Kennedy wants his audience to acknowledge the simple truth that the world is in fragile state, worn form poverty and divided by war. He explains that humans have the power to do a lot of harm. He takes science as an example, referring to it as a dark power of destruction. The audience would have agreed to this since science led to the creation of modern weapons of war, a big issue at the time of Kennedy’s presidential election.

Kennedy, however, also acknowledges the fact that humans have the power in them to end human suffering and “to assure the survival and success of liberty”. He therefore makes an appeal to the other nations to “begin anew the quest for peace”, to work together to battle the common enemies of man such as poverty instead of fighting one another. He makes it a big deal to emphasize the importance of America working with other nations rather than tackling problems on its own.

By doing so, Kennedy hopes the public; particularly the younger, more influential generation will resist being discriminatory towards the other nations be they allies or foes of America, and instead work with the people of these other nations towards a peaceful future.

Most of the speech is done in the first person plural, ‘we’. This creates a connection between speaker and audience, that speaker and audience are facing the struggle for freedom and peace together. In one part of the speech Kennedy addresses the audience in a direct manner, as quoted; “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.” The position of authority is removed from the president and put straight into the audiences’ laps. The president regards them as his fellow citizens, indicating they have no less authority or importance then he himself. This is effective in making the audience feel important and needed, that their opinions and

ideas matter. A bond of trust and faith is thus created between the president and the people.

Kennedy’s inaugural address sets a tone of youthful idealism. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” is exhorted to the public. Despite the fears of science, Kennedy wants the public to embrace the wonders science can bring, and wants the new, improved America to strive in the fields of science, commerce and art. He also wants the public to have faith in the young generation who he believes are likely to have the biggest effect on the nation and the world.