Obamas Rhetoric Essay Example

Obamas Rhetoric Essay Barack Obamas rhetorical style is broadly acknowledged to be one of the most outstanding examples of communication strategy in recent political oratory. His political success reinforces the thesis that language is a powerful tool to influence citizens. The relationship between power, discourse and cognition provides the theoretical framework for the present analysis of Obama? s Inaugural Address; a speech which relies on literal meanings, and above all on figurative ones. Using this speech I will demonstrate how metaphor is a powerful strategy since first, it facilitates the understanding of abstract concepts in a short time span; second, it conveys positive images that benefit the orator; and, finally, because the message conveyed is doubly powerful as it works through both auditory and visual channels. EL DISCURSO DE INVESTIDURA DE BARACK OBAMA: METAFORA Y VALORES COMO ESTRATEGIAS PERSUASIVAS PARA CELEBRAR UNA PRESIDENCIA LE DISCOURS D’INVESTITURE DE BARACK OBAMA: METAPHORE ET VALEURS COMME STRATEGIES PERSUASIVES POUR CELEBRER UNE PRESIDENCE We will write a custom essay sample on Obamas Rhetoric specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Obamas Rhetoric specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Obamas Rhetoric specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer RESUMEN: La estrategia retorica de Barack Obama es una de las mas sorprendentes en la oratoria politica mas reciente. Una victoria politica que refuerza la tesis del lenguaje como arma poderosa para influir en los ciudadanos. Las relaciones entre poder, discurso y cognicion constituyen el marco teorico del presente analisis en torno al Discurso de Investidura pronunciado por Obama en su toma de posesion como presidente; un discurso basado en significados literales y, sobre todo, metaforicos. Tal recurrencia mostrara el poder de la estrategia metaforica: Primero, porque la metafora facilita el comprension de conceptos abstractos en un breve espacio de tiempo; segundo, porque transmite imagenes positivas que benefician al orador; por ultimo, porque el mensaje metaforico es doblemente efectivo puesto que funciona a traves de un canal auditivo y otro visual. PALABRAS CLAVES: oratoria politica; poder; estrategia; metafora; cognicion. SUMARIO: 1. Introduccion 2. Procedimiento 3. Funcion antropologica de la metafora en el Discurso de Investidura de Obama 4. Las metaforas belicas, del edificio y el viaje en el Discurso de Investidura de Obama 4. 1. La metafora belica 4. 2. La metafora del edificio 4. 3. La metafora del viaje 5. La retorica de los valores 6. Conclusion RESUME: La strategie rhetorique de Barack Obama est l’une des plus surprenantes de l’art oratoire politique le plus recent. Une victoire politique qui renforce la these du langage comme arme puissante pour avoir de l’influence sur les citoyens. Les relations entre pouvoir, discours et cognition constituent la delimitation theorique de cette analyse autour du Discours d’Investiture prononce par Obama lors de sa prise de possession comme president; un discours base sur des significations litterales et, surtout, metaphoriques. Cette recurrence montrera le pouvoir de la strategie metaphorique: en premier lieu, parce que la metaphore facilite la comprehension de concepts abstraits dans un bref espace de temps; deuxiemement, parce qu’elle transmet des images positives qui profitent a l’orateur; enfin, parce que le message metaphorique est doublement effectif etant donne qu’il fonctionne par l’intermediaire d’un canal auditif et d’un canal visuel. MOTS CLES: art oratoire politique; pouvoir; strategie; metaphore; cognition. SOMMAIRE: 1. Introduction 2. Notre approche 3. Fonction anthropologique de la metaphore dans le Discours d’Investiture d’Obama 4. Les metaphores de guerre, du batiment et du voyage dans le Discours d’Investiture d’Obama 4. 1. La metaphore de guerre 4. 2. La metaphore du batiment 4. 3. La metaphore du voyage 5. La rhetorique des valeurs 6. Conclusion KEY WORDS: political oratory; strategy; metaphor; cognition. power; SUMMARY: 1. Introduction 2. Our approach 3. Embodied function of metaphor in Obama’s â€Å"Inaugural Address† 4. War, construction, and journey metaphors in Obama’s Inaugural Address 4. 1. The war metaphor 4. . The construction metaphor 4. 3. The journey metaphor 5. The rhetoric of the American values 6. Conclusion Fecha de Recepcion Fecha de Revision Fecha de Aceptacion Fecha de Publicacion 15/04/2011 17/10/2011 18/11/2011 01/12/2011 pragmalingiuistica 19 (2011) 44-55 45 Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address: Metaphor and Values as Captivating Strategies to Celebrate a Presidency M. PILAR GUITART ESCUDERO â€Å"The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms†. Barack Obama, Inaugural Address, 1-20-2009) 1. INTRODUCTION Language is the only tangible vehicle to access knowledge as well as a powerful tool that influences perceptions, and behaviors (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1969). Words that evoke emotion may have a strong psychological impact on the audience (Ullman, 1969). Additionally, discursive genres are embedded in the culture and society in which they are produced. Therefore, any speech with the purpose of persuasion requires the most careful choice of language and contextual adjustment. Thus, political discourse seems to be a clear piece of evidence where rhetorical language is seen in action. This article attempts to analyse Obama’s Inaugural Address as a means of transmitting the American Dream to argue that metaphorical representation is essential to the relationships between word and action. This work will demonstrate that one reason for Obama’s success is that his linguistic choices are conveyed in captivating metaphors which often emerge from the American values. Relationships between metaphor, rhetoric and politics along with methodology used in study will be discussed in the first section. Evidence of metaphorical instances in Obama’s Inaugural Address is shown through the whole article as devices which help connect him psychologically with his audience. The second section explores the connections between Obama’s metaphors and notions related to the human body and its surrounding experience. Section three demonstrates how some metaphors work as cognitive patterns which provide whole semantic fields (Lakoff, 1980: 36; Cuenca Hilferty, 1999: 72): Political activity will be conceptualized as a battle, a construction, and a journey. The last section analyses some of the American values underlying Obamas Inaugural Address, and how, through an extremely empathic speech, the messages conveyed help connect Obama with his audience. 2. OUR APPROACH Persuasive strategies in political rhetoric are found in literal meanings, and also often in figurative. Scholars have agreed that metaphor is frequent and diverse (T. Carver, 2008; Honohan, 2008; Pikalo, 2008; Fridolfsson, 2008), ranging from election time to celebration speeches (Mieder, 2009; Vertessen Landtsheer, 2008). The reasons for such abundance of metaphors lie in the fact that they serve as both powerful learning tools and persuasive devices. A metaphor has learning power because it facilitates the understanding of messages by converting abstract notions into concrete ones (G. Lakoff, 1980; Cuenca Hilferty, 1999). Its persuasive power lies in the subliminal meanings conveyed by unconscious associations of words. Therefore, metaphor is a major means of ideological transmission appealing â€Å"to our emotions (or pathos) through unconsciously formed set 46 Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address: Metaphor and Values as Captivating Strategies to Celebrate a Presidency M. PILAR GUITART ESCUDERO of beliefs, attitudes and values. † (Charteris-Black, 2005: 175) While it projects positive images that benefit the orator, it also conveys negative ones for his adversary. Consequently, it has the power to act as an emotional stimulus whose response may significantly change listeners attitudes and actions. Finally, the message conveyed by metaphor is doubly powerful as it works through both auditory and visual channels at the same time, a verbal message and a mental image. Metaphors embody basic motives and can even appeal to international audiences (M. Osborn, 2009:81). However, metaphors often need to be adapted to the culture in which they are uttered in order to be persuasively effective (J. Aitchison, 1997: 92). Hence, not only do metaphors have a cognitive nature, but they also need to be culturally grounded. For this reason, metaphors may vary under time and space constraints as shown by diverse oratory styles (Charteris-Black, 2005; Mussolf, 2004). The theoretical framework presented in Critical Metaphor Analysis (Charteris-Black, 2004) provides an adequate approach to determine and analyze a specific set of metaphors found in Obama? s Inaugural Address. The cognitive theory of conceptual metaphor mapping is closely related to patterns of source domains usually salient to the audience. This is the reason why political activity is often considered a journey, a war, and a construction. Moreover, understanding social, cultural and ideological values is central to account for certain metaphorical choices. According to Charteris-Black (2004: 12), metaphor is an effective persuasive tool because it â€Å"taps into an accepted communal system of values. † Regarding previous works on metaphor, persuasion and ideology (Charteris-Black, 2004, Guitart, 2005; Lakoff, 2006; Mussolf, 2008), this article will demonstrate that Obama? s choice of metaphors is conscious and often carried out under the influence of a set system of values. A qualitative approach is central to this work. Therefore, it takes into account Praglejazz and E. Semino’s Metaphor Identification Procedure (2007) to determine the metaphoricity which takes place in Obama’s victory speech. MIP is based on a comparison between contextual and basic meanings. If the meaning of a lexical unit can be understood by comparing it to its basic one, the unit can be termed as metaphorical. This method focuses on the distinction between words conveying metaphorical meaning and those which do not according to context as a wide range of words can be considered metaphorical depending on different contexts. For instance, the term crusade is metaphorically intended in Bush’s rhetoric, it is interpreted as literal by many Muslims (Charteris-Black, 2004). 3. EMBODIED FUNCTION OF METAPHOR IN OBAMA’S â€Å"INAUGURAL ADDRESS† As G. Lakoff M. Johnson (1980) stated, people categorize their surrounding reality by establishing boundaries according to their own experience. In metaphorical speech, abstract notions are usually organized in physical objects, spatial orientations, and fixed structures, relating to daily human experience. Therefore, the resulting notions become more familiar, easier to understand, and are processed much faster. The human body is a productive lexical field for metaphorical creation in political discourse as Obama’s Inaugural Address demonstrates. For example, in the following excerpt, â€Å"†¦ these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he uses an evaluative image related to the body term hand described as raw, and surrounded by verbs such as struggle, sacrifice, and work. In the next example, he refers to a metaphorical phrase containing pragmalingiuistica 19 (2011) 44-55 47 the words hand and fist, â€Å"To those who cling to power [ ] we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. † Likewise, another metaphor combining bodily needs and nature appears as a parallel reference to body and mind, â€Å" ake your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. † Nature and natural phenomena terminology described in different ways, icy currents, rising tides, gathering clouds, water of peace and raging storms, lead us to associations with bad and good times, â€Å"†¦in this winter of our hardsh ip, [†¦], let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. † [†¦] The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. Many inanimate beings are conceptually, and linguistically, treated as humans. In other words, typically human features and actions are assigned to institutions, countries, and organizations. Relevant consequences arise from the analogy embodied in personifications. First, listeners feel a greater identification and a more positive attitude towards the object that has â€Å"become† human. Second, personification conveys more information than literal speech in a shorter utterance, which paradoxically is processed faster. In Obama? Inaugural speech, the word America undergoes a process of personification which results in a captivating metaphor because of its affectionate tone. For example, we read about ? Americas birth? , in other words, an America who is born into a new age of Obama? s victory; we also read about â€Å" a young nation †, and finally we read that â€Å" America is a friend † In the sphere of international politics, Obama? s Address depicts nations as humans, highlighting the need for good relationships in a globalized world: â€Å" reater cooperation and understanding between nations † where â€Å" the world grows smaller † Other abstract entities such as system, crisis, and economy undergo a similar process, â€Å"†¦our system cannot tolerate too many big plans †, â€Å"†¦this crisis has reminded us†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , and â€Å" the state of the economy calls for action†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Finally, one last personification which draws our attention is â€Å"†¦worn out dogmas that [ ] have strangled our politics. † This represents another captivating metaphor because of the negative associations conveyed in the gra phic idea of strangulation. Obama relates prior attitudes of intolerance with the deterioration of the Republican? s political activity. In addition to metaphor, metonym is another commonplace in political communication. The mental process involved in this strategy relates to the substitution of one entity for another without the use of an analogy. For instance, the name of a place is used instead of the activity which takes place there. In Obama? s speech, as in many other political speeches, words that name capital cities such as Washington or Madrid most frequently replace the word government. In turn, government is used instead of an explicit reference to â€Å"the elected and nonelected officials†. In both cases, this substitution takes place between a city and an institution, respectively, to refer to people and their activities. Metaphor and metonym often function together. For instance, the word government can be used for people, and at the same time to refer to human actions assigned to such institution, as stated in the following excerpt from the Inaugural speech, â€Å"The question [ ] is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works whether it helps families find jobs The same process applies to the term country, â€Å"†¦what this country has already done†¦Ã¢â‚¬  as well as institutions, â€Å"†¦our schools fail too many†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Likewise, America becomes the 48 Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address: Metaphor and Values as Captivating Strategies to Celebrate a Presidency M. PILAR GUITART ESCUDERO audienc e, But know this, America † A cause-effect metonym is also used by Obama to designate energy resources instead of its effect, â€Å"We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. Another metonymic connection has been found to name containers in the place of their content, â€Å"†¦the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together† instead of referring to energy itself. Synecdoche, a type of metonym that names a part for the whole, or vice versa, can also be traced to one of Obamas statements where the term heart replaces person, â€Å"†¦our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Likewise, he mentions particular institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities instead of referring to a faulty education system, â€Å" nd we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. † In sum, the use of these devic es could lead us to believe that the mental processes involved play an essential role as captivating strategies because of the psychological connections these devices build between orator and audience. 4. WAR, CONSTRUCTION, AND JOURNEY METAPHORS IN OBAMA’S INAUGURAL ADDRESS Certain metaphors are known as structural metaphors (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980). They are named structural because they generate new metaphors out of a single semantic field in order to form a whole group of metaphors around the same topic. Some of the major semantic fields as speeches by European and American political leaders have proved are war, construction and journey. For instance, conflict metaphors are associated to M. Thatcher, journey metaphors, to M. Luther King and, construction ones to B. Clinton (Charteris-Black, 2005). This section will outline how this type of representation is used in Obama’s Inaugural Address to create captivating effects. 4. 1. THE WAR METAPHOR In general terms, POLITICAL ACTIVITY IS A WAR is a frequently used metaphor during election time (M. P. Guitart, 2005): Elections usually become battlefields; words turn to weapons; and opponents are enemies. Even when it is an inaugural speech, war lexicon is still evidenced like in the case of Obama? s, â€Å"†¦each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. † In a subtle manner, Obama criticizes the lack of measures taken in the US to save energy. He references the negative consequences of such waste for the country and for their neighboring democracies while he condemns the profit made by other countries. Additionally, messages sometimes switch from a metaphorical meaning to a literal one, as seen in the previous and also in the following excerpt, â€Å"We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. † Through this fragment, listeners evoke â€Å"real† battles in their minds. They join Obama’s courageous leadership in defense of justice, and against those who attempt to frighten them by references to terror and slaughter. The next metaphor â€Å"†¦the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington pragmalingiuistica 19 (2011) 44-55 49 whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty†¦Ã¢â‚¬  evokes the respect that should be devoted to every soldier killed in Vietnam and buried in the Arlington National Cemetery as they still safeguard the freedom of the North American people. The next rhetorical choice, â€Å"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord † conveys a much gentler tone than other politicians? rhetoric. Obama? style offers more positive meanings compared to fellow politicians and to the traditional linguistic confrontation practice in Europe and in the United States (Charteris-Black, 2005; Mussolf, 2008). For example, as far as Obama’s predecessor? s administration is concerned, Professor W. Fields (2008), expert on presidential rhetoric, posits â€Å"One of the contrasts b etween the two administrations is the care with which Obama uses language†. Indeed, Obama has sought to avoid the controversial phrase â€Å"war on terror†, mainly because of its negative anti-Islamic and anti-Arab associations (Cordesman, 2008: 36). As opposed to the frequent use of â€Å"metaphors of separation†, Obama’s â€Å"metaphor of hopeâ€Å" has been present in his speeches since his Address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention because â€Å"hope is the chance for a better world that can be produced in a society that values both strong personal and communitarian values. † (Rowland Jones, 2007: 442). 4. 2. THE CONSTRUCTION METAPHOR On the opposite extreme of bellicose analogies, the structural metaphor POLITICAL ACTIVITY IS A CONSTRUCTION is also present in Obama’s Inaugural Address. The construction analogy refers to the positive connotations of creation and building. Its contrast to the conflict metaphor is easily acknowledged in the following excerpt, â€Å" to those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their societys ills on the West know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. † These words are a compelling example of how Obama pursues a more subtle way of communication. He addresses his opponents emphasizing the idea of building as positive and destroying as negative. The notion of construction is often used metaphorically for its anthropological features. In other words, metaphors very often refer to peoples’ everyday customs like getting up, working or cleaning. This is also true in the next passage, â€Å" starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. † This phrase draws our attention for the several reasons: First, the idea conveyed in the metaphor â€Å" starting today, we must [ ] dust ourselves off † implies the abandonment of certain past habits to adopt new ones, and emerges from the literal meaning of removing dust from furniture. Second, it relates to the reconstruction of America as a consequence of Obama? s victory, â€Å" begin [ ] the work remaking America † In fact, Obama goes further with both metaphors as he applies the positive associations of building to a new era, the new America which has just begun with his election, and with the new policies which, in his own words, â€Å" begin and start today † The last metaphor concerning the idea of construction and its positive associations is â€Å"the levee metaphor† found in the next excerpt: â€Å"it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In this passage, Obama references to the levees which were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, 2005, and the solidarity showed by many Americans. 50 Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address: Metaphor and Values as Captivating Strategies to Celebrate a Presidency M. PILAR GUITART ESCUDERO Through this metaphor; Obama attempts to convey two fundamental ideas: first, the importance of citizens to their country; second, the solidarity which the American people show towards others when a setback, problem or disaster arises. . 3. THE JOURNEY METAPHOR POLITICAL ACTIVITY IS A JOURNEY is another productive metaphor in political speech (M. P. Guitart, 2005). The main idea conveyed in this metaphor is that political activity is conceived as a journey. Accordingly, Obama’s Address regards life in politics as a journey full of ways, routes, and paths, â€Å"†¦it is the surest route to our commo n good. † He also refers to â€Å"†¦the road that unfolds before us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  as an equivalent of â€Å"a double opportunity. † On other occasions, he depicts life as a progression, â€Å" this is the journey we continue today. Likewise, his references apply to the long distances walked together after having overcome difficulties, â€Å"†¦how far we have traveled. † An evident persuasive effect lies behind the unity that Obama creates with his audience. This captivating strategy of closeness is also evidenced in the next metaphor, â€Å"Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted [ ] Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. It is the metaphor of a journey where long, rugged paths are taken and shared, abov e all, by every hard-working American whereas short-cuts and easy paths belong to others. This metaphor is an obvious praise towards the people whose subsequent positive emotional reaction is predictable (Santiago, 2010). On the long journey of life itself and life in politics, a forward movement is most likely perceived as positive as in the previous phrase â€Å" path towards prosperity and freedom. †, as well as in the following two, â€Å"†¦we intend to move forward†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , and â€Å"†¦ we seek a new way forward, On the contrary, a backward movement is considered as something negative as shown in the following passage, â€Å"Let it be said by our childrens children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Positive and negative associations emerge from cultural meaning. Similarly, Obama employs the positive associations of the word future re inforced by the ideas conveyed in the combination of the terms peace and dignity. At the same time, he mentions â€Å"the weakest†, women and children, in a way that everyone feels included and important, â€Å"†¦every man, woman and child who seek a future of peace and dignity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  As opposed to the notion of light, the idea of darkness is a negatively associated determinant as in the phrase â€Å"†¦our darkest hours†¦Ã¢â‚¬  to convey people? s suffering metaphorically. J. Darsey (2009) states that the potency of Obama’s rhetoric lies in the concurrence of two metaphorical journeys, his personal journey and America’s journey, especially concerning the issue of race. In this manner, the Inaugural Address represents a personal victory and communal victory, where both journeys coincide and conclude with the first Afro-American elected president of the United States of America. pragmalingiuistica 19 (2011) 44-55 51 5. THE RHETORIC OF THE AMERICAN VALUES Politics and persuasion have been closely related since ancient Greece, and the role of Aristotles ethos, pathos and logos still remains central to political discourse. Accordingly, Obamas rhetoric can be characterized as extremely empathic. In other words, he capitalizes on the appeal of ethos because he addresses his audience in a positive and courteous manner that the nation easily identifies with his views (Charteris-Black, 2005; Santiago, 2009; C. Steel, 2009). As far as Obama’s â€Å"A More Perfect Union† speech is concerned, G. Lakoff (2008) points out that itâ€Å"works via the emotional structure built into the speech and into our national ideals. † His rhetorical success can be traced in a set of particular values which G. Lakoff (2009) called â€Å"The Obama Code†. In this way, his Inaugural Address often references values conveyed in words such as responsibility, unity, caring, hope and loyalty among others. Additionally, the original values stated by the Framers of the American Constitution are the most important issue in the US political life according to G. Lakoff. Thus, from the very beginning of the Inaugural Address, Obama stresses his link to the Framers of the Constitution by saying, â€Å"I stand here today [ ] mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. † Moreover, through the use of empathic forms of address such as â€Å"We the People Obama relates the importance of loyalty to both American national forbearers, and the founding documents of the US, â€Å"†¦because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. † Signatories of the Declaration of Independence and drafters of the US Constitution are present ideologically as a driving force for the co untry, and linguistically as a metaphorical construction as shown in the next excerpt, â€Å"Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expediences sake. † This powerful image relates to dangerous work (charter full of perils) carried out by the Founding Fathers, and supported by the suffering and death (blood) of many courageous people. Consequently, such ideals are encouraging (light) and unforgettable. Another value referenced is a renewed notion of the American democracy, related to individual and, above all, social responsibility. A type of democracy which takes care of others as a way of â€Å" acting to make oneself, the country, and the world better because everybody deserves â€Å". protection and equal empowerment † from a moral government. Referring to the concept of framing, Obama has certainly given a renewed meaning to this word (D. Olive, 2008: 305). As expressed by Obama on CNN (2008), it implies â€Å"caring for the other† versus â€Å"extreme individualism†. Although emphasis is placed on societal respon sibility, personal responsibility is also necessary. In this way, Obama disarms the conservative criticism on liberals placing responsibility on the government and none on the individual (C. Rowland J. M. Jones, 2007: 441). Union is another value emphasized by Obama. M. S. Boyd (2009: 78) considers that â€Å"an all-encompassing message of unity [ ] makes his rhetoric more persuasive. † It is an idea of union as equivalent of inclusiveness, which applies to the issues of race and religion. Historically, race has been one of the hardest political issues to address in the United States. As 52 Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address: Metaphor and Values as Captivating Strategies to Celebrate a Presidency M. PILAR GUITART ESCUDERO Sharpley-Whiting (2008: 132) suggests, Obama’s speech on framing the race issue is a model which uses not only literal terms, but also metaphorical language. On the one hand, Obama deals with it as something that has already been overcome through his election as the following excerpt shows, â€Å"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. On the other hand, the next one indicates that he believes there is still more work to be done. This thought is conveyed by the tasting of â€Å"the bitter swill† which refers to racism as a â€Å"dark chapter† in history. Obama also refers to racism with another compelling image, â€Å"the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve†. This metaphor reminds American people that racism, which has created hate and divided people, will be soon eradicated, â€Å"†¦and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help ut believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve;† As for religious values, Obama wants to make clear that every creed is welcomed in the US, â€Å"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth;† In that way, a broad cultural scope of the audience could be emotionally touched in a positive manner. He praises the diverse religions, cultures, and languages in a more effective way through the metaphorical image of the â€Å"patchwork heritage†, â€Å"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength not a weakness. † Emphasis on particular religious references may not be politically successful depending on cultural context. In the case of the Inaugural Address, overt references to Obama? s religious faith, such as â€Å"Gods grace upon us† and â€Å"the knowledge that God calls† clearly plays to the political narrative of the US. The Christian religious background that has long influenced in the congregations of powerfully effective preachers becomes present in B. Obama? s speeches (Higgings, 2009). Indeed, he has a particular rhetoric training based on the black American church, which captured the rhetorical tradition of educating people through sermons (Davidson, 2009). The following excerpt from the Inaugural Address reminds us of a religious sermon with explicit references to God and the Scriptures, â€Å"†¦in the words of Scripture, [ time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. † Through several parallelisms such as â€Å" to reaffirm our [ ] to choose our †, â€Å" that precious gift, that noble idea † and â€Å" all are equal, a ll are free, and all deserve † the audie

Benjamin Franklin and John Edawrds view on God essays

Benjamin Franklin and John Edawrds view on God essays Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards have two very different ways of looking at God and how He is involved in a persons life. The one thing they do have in common however, is their similar belief that God is all knowing, as Franklin believes, and God is all-powerful, as Edwards believes. If Franklin were to look at Edwards beliefs in a more logical way, he could undoubtedly see that not only is God all-knowing, but he is also all-powerful due simply to the fact that He gave humans the ability to reason. In Franklins autobiography, he makes a simple prayer to God that asks Him to, ...Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interests...fill my soul with knowledge... He also says And conceiving God to be the Fountain of Wisdom, I thought it right and necessary to solicit this assistance for obtaining it. That Franklin believes that God is the Fountain of Wisdom shows that he believes that God is all-knowing. As many Enlightenment thinkers believe, God gave humans reason. Using reason and logic, as Enlightenment thinkers would, it is possible to have Franklin believe that God is all-powerful, like Edwards does. Edwards clearly believes that God has omnipotent power. Since reason was given to humans by God, this obviously shows that God possess reason. Reason is believed to give humans the ability to figure anything out and thus do anything. If looked at in a different perspective, this would show exactly why what Edwards believes makes complete sense. Since God possesses reason, he can figure out anything and thus do anything. Since he is in fact God, it goes without saying that he is limitless in what he can do. Therefore, there is nothing that God can not do. If God can do anything because of this reason that he possesses, it can then be said that God is in fact all-powerful. Even though God gave humans reason, it does not denote or limit the power that He has. In...