Address: The Role Of American Women In Wartime By Clare Boothe Luce

In the address, “The Role of American Women in Wartime”, Clare Boothe Luce, an American congresswoman, advocates for the American women’s contribution to the war efforts at the women's banking committee. Although Luce’s speech opens with a controversial and condemning topic, Luce further explicates it, recognizing the struggles and difficulties that must be dealt with. Luce employs contrasting and critical tone, repetition, and imagery to highlight women’s needed sacrifices for the sake of America’s victory.
Luce introduces with a contrasting and critical tone in order to emphasize that an adjustment must occur for the female system in America. Luce begins with a lighter and subtle tone, calling the women, “Sisters” and presenting on how women “still have lipsticks, and even silk stockings… [and] have gone into uniforms…[that] are made of good cloth and are well cut”. By providing examples of women’s lavish outlook, Luce defines women’s lifestyle as “glamorous”, expressing how fortunate the women are.

Luce repeats the words, “we’re going to”, following it with “things” to be done, such as to “take, and manage, with more and more rationing”, “have colder homes, different foods, less clothing”, and “accept the challenges imposed by these conditions”. By listing the circumstances that must be endured, Luce recognizes the tasks women must overgo through, leading to a much bigger picture. Therefore, Luce underlines that by supporting and aiding in the war, “the women of the next few crucial years are going to see that their children…are kept healthy and warm and well fed and well schooled and as happy as possible”. By utilizing children, the woman’s most precious treasures, Luce’s repeated “things” to be done creates a greater meaning amongst women as ensures the safety of their children and inspires the women to persistently push forward regardless of the tough