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Figurative Language In Jfk Inaugural Address

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The inauguration speech is a very important part of a president’s election. John F. Kennedy’s speech, though it was short, it was also potent. JFK’s speech was incredible giving America so much hope; he didn’t just throw on some pretty words that sounded nice together. He included many rhetorical terms, also incorporated ethos, pathos, and logos in his speech. JFK used quite a bit of antithesis in his speech. In the very famous phrase “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”(pg.464, par.23) The reader can see how he uses the same words but puts them in a different order where it contrast the idea. “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” (pg.464, par.14) also shows antithesis. …show more content…

JFK repeats the phrase “let both sides” (pg.464, par.15-18) and also in the phrase “To those old allies…To those new sites…To those people”.(pg.463, par.7&8) Repeating the same words at the beginning of a phrase can make a statement sound powerful. Consonance is repetition of consonant sounds like on the phrase “whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall…” (pg.463, par.5) The letter “w” and the “ll” is repeated as well. Assonance, which is the repetition of vowel sounds, is also shown “the steady spread of the deadly atom.” (pg.463, par.13) The sound “ead” is repeated in three words of the phrase. Though America was founded in Christianity, JFK was the first catholic president to be elected. JFK uses ethos by repeating how important God is to him and how important God should be to America, “Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.”(pg.462, par.2) In his speech he states, “His blessings and His help”(pg.465,par 24) When he uses “His” making sure that it is capitalized, he refers to God; which also shows how he is even careful on how he acknowledges

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