Wilamenah Merriam Essays - Culture, City-states,

Wilamenah Merriam Mrs. Plowmen American Literature 15 September 2017 Rhetorical Analysis John F. Kennedys' speech "Ich bin ein Berliner", was delivered in West Berlin during the Cold War. JFK delivered that speech to advocate for peace. He believed everyone should be able to experience peace. During this time period, democrats and communist were divided which caused some tension. In his speech, JKF argued the wall dividing Berlin was separating people who wanted to be together. In his speech, he uses logos, pathos, and ethos to advocate for peace during the cold war. JFK uses logos in in speech multiple times. He states, "Real, lasting peace in Europe can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied the elementary right of free men, and that is to make a free choice" ( "Ich bin ein Berliner"). This appeals to logic because it is persuading the audience by reason, that all can not be free if some are still not, showing a flawed logic in the wall. Further in the speech, JFK states, "Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect. But we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in -- to prevent them from leaving us" ( "Ich bin ein Berliner"). This appeals to logos because it is using the logic that nothing is perfect, but nothing should be so bad to have to build a wall to keep people in one place. The use of ethos in the speech is an underlining theme. In his speech, JKF talks about the many consequences of the separation and the non-peaceful environment of Germany. He states," ..an offense not only against history but an offense against humanity, separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wish to be joined together"( "Ich bin ein Berliner"). This appeals to emotions because everyone has family, and it put them in the position of imagining them separated from their family members and friends. He also states," . I know of no town, no city, that has been besieged for 18 years that still lives with the vitality and the force, and the hope, and the determination of the city of West Berlin" ( "Ich bin ein Berliner"). This appeals to the emotional side because it is telling the people that the city of West Berlin still hasn't lost their hope through the tough times of being separated from their friends and families. JFK also uses ethos in his speech along with logos and pathos. He talks about the rights of freedom and lasting peace of individuals. He states,"this generation of Germans has earned the right to be free, including the right to unite their families and their nation in lasting peace, with good will to all people"( "Ich bin ein Berliner"). This use of ethics ties back to the idea of the United States freedom that all men are created equal and have the right to freedom. He also talks about the given rights, peace, and goodwill towards all people which appeals to most people's ethics on unalienable rights. In conclusion, JKF's speech, "Ich bin ein Berliner", JFK argues for peace during the cold war by uses logos, pathos, and ethos to appeal to all different kinds of people to prove one point. The use of these devices helps prove an effective argument for the peace of the nation. The argument shown in this speech helps make people motivated to make a change in their society and push for what they know is right ethically, logically, and emotionally. Kennedy, John F. "Ich bin ein Berliner." 15 Sept. 2017, West Berlin, West Berlin. HYPERLINK "http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkberliner.html" http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkberliner.html