Rhetorical Analysis of Barack Obama’s “A More Perfect Union”
The impact of a speech to the intended audience depends on the speaker’s ability to address the needs of the audience. The use of rhetorical devices is crucial in ensuring that the intended message gets to the audience efficiently. One such speaker who made unique speeches is Barack Obama during his time in the US government. Barack Obama once gave a speech entitled “A More Perfect Union” during his time as the Senator of Illinois to respond to the claim by his Pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Wright argued that the US government was discriminative against people of color and Obama had to respond to the allegations due to his affiliation to the influential pastor. The careful selection of ethos, pathos, and logos in line with Aristotle’s writings made Obama’s speech iconic to address the possible misunderstandings, miscommunications, and even the viable opposing arguments held by Americans.
In his speech, Barack Obama presents a clear understanding that America is experiencing problems. In the use of logos, Obama offers the logical thinking that America has problems that need to be solved. The solutions to the existing problems are essential so that Americans can live in harmony. Secondly, the ethics and morals of the American people take center stage with Obama reminding the Americans the values they hold as a nation. The solution to the problems affecting America depends on the way Americans treat humanity, although the problems appear to have grown more profound with time. Moreover, Obama plays pathos throughout his speech by playing with the emotions of Americans concerning what might happen if the existing problems are not addressed.
The uniqueness of Obama’s speech comes from adherence to Aristotle’s writings on rhetoric[1]. First, Obama has to use logical thinking while on stage to avoid going out of context. Logically, America is in problems, and a solution is needed to prevent worsening of events. Obama’s pastor has brought out the feelings of the Americans who had been silent for a long time. Obama’s affiliation to Reverend Jeremiah Wright places him at the center of the crisis, and a response is needed. Also, the address by Barack Obama has to take note of the ethics and values of the Americans. Barack Obama understands the values held by the people of America. Therefore, Obama reminds the people of America of their rights and does not compel them into holding foreign values. The first statement in Obama’s speech that, “We the people, in order to create a perfect union…” shows that Obama is at the same level as his audience and that he desperately needs a solution as the other Americans[2]. Moreover, Obama uses his access to the audience’s emotions to insist on the weight of the matter in question.
Obama shows confidence in the way he delivers his speech by maintaining a high degree of ethics. The claims that Barack Obama makes are based on facts and not propaganda like most people would expect from a politician. Besides, Obama appears conversant with historical references and gives a clear picture of his family tree, thus making his speech credible. Also, Obama understands the opposing arguments presented by the press and comments on the sensitivity of such discussions. “[The media looks] for the latest evidence of racial polarization…” [3]. Besides, Obama chooses to address the issues that are left unspoken and thus captures maximum attention from his audience. Furthermore, Obama is not afraid of talking about the racial divisions, and he talks about having attended one of the best schools in America.
Along with ethos, Obama chooses to employ the use of pathos to strengthen his connection with the audience. The use of story-telling, imagery, and allusion are essential in getting the emotional attention of Obama’s audience. For example, Obama talks about racism and evokes emotions to his audience. The history of America is based on several issues of racial divisions, and Obama is aware that Americans would always give attention to anyone who talks about racism. Besides, Obama tells the story of his grandfather, who went through depression to serve in the army without choice. Generally, Obama captures the attention of his audience by getting hold of the emotions with his wise choice of words.
Moreover, Obama is persuasive and attempts to give his audience the choices that they should make. For example, Obama urges his audience to treat the issue of racism positively and to put the interest of America first. Besides, the combination of inductive and deductive reasoning gives Obama’s speech the uniqueness that it deserved to win the hearts of the Americans. Also, Obama brings in the Americans ability to reason by reminding them that the decisions had to be made at that time. Generally, Obama wisely uses rhetoric to ensure that his message is delivered to his audience without gaps and misunderstandings.
In sum, the careful selection of ethos, pathos, and logos in line with Aristotle’s writings made Obama’s speech iconic to address the possible misunderstandings, miscommunications and even the viable opposing arguments held by Americans. The speech is based on a claim by Obama’s pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright that the government was discriminative against people of color. Generally, Obama utilizes inductive and deductive reasoning to come up with a speech that changes the perceptions of the Americans.
Bibliography
Dragga, Sam, and Gwendolyn Gong. Editing: The design of rhetoric. Routledge, 2018.
Obama, Senator Barack. “A more perfect union.” The Black Scholar 38, no. 1 (2008): 17-23.
[1] Dragga, Sam, and Gwendolyn Gong. Editing: The design of rhetoric. Routledge, 2018.
[2] Obama, Senator Barack. “A more perfect union.” The Black Scholar 38, no. 1 (2008): 17-23.
[3] Obama, Senator Barack. “A more perfect union.” The Black Scholar 38, no. 1 (2008): 17-23.