TOW #18 - JFK's Inaugural Address (Written Text)

Just as any president would, President John F. Kennedy made his Inaugural address in Washington D.C. on January 20th, 1961. His goal in delivering the address was to show the nation hope during the Cold War and to will the nations around the world towards his goal of peace. JFK remarkably uses simplicity, anaphora, and antithesis in order to reach the broad audience. The skilled orator knows he is speaking to world full of people from all different educational levels, so he uses extremely simple language that all his listeners can understand and keeps the message short and sweet. He proudly states "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it"(Kennedy 1). He keeps his language simple so it is easily comprehended by the average citizen. His use of anaphora also allows him to really deliver a memorable address. In numerous paragraphs, he starts off with similar phrases, "To those old allies... To those new states... To those people in the huts and villages ... Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary... " (Kennedy 1). This use of repetitive phrases puts people globally on the same level, and allows him to draw attention to the fact that we should all come together, as equals, and end this war. Finally, Kennedy utters many strong antitheses that are sure to be remembered for generation and generations to come. Perhaps his most famous antithesis in this speech is, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country" (Kennedy 1). By first stating what you should not do and then its opposite of what you should do, Kennedy lays out a road map for the thoughts of his country's citizens that leaves no confusion for what he wants from the American population. Kenned creates a compelling Inaugural address through simplicity tailored to the audience, anaphora, and several antithesis that leads the way to peace.