Rhetoric /Linguistic analysis of Thomas Jefferson's first Inaugural address - Research Paper Example

Rhetoric /Linguistic analysis of Thomas Jefferson's first Inaugural address Introduction: There are many reasons why a person might need to be persuasive. The skill is a very useful one. It is not always easy to get a point across to someone. Even if they do understand the message that does not mean that they will be convinced to believe and agree. Persuasion is an art. It takes a lot of training. Those who have mastered the usage of its elements reap many benefits and have the potential to be very powerful indeed. Studying the written materials and speeches of great people brings to light the fact that they often have skills using rhetorical elements that the average person has not yet begun to master. Persuasion is a science. There are specific rules and laws that one must follow in order to succeed in being persuasive. Rhetoric not only evolves the usage of grammar, but of logic as well. There are many flaws in logic, called fallacies that can be found expressed through language. The fallacies however are beyond the scope of this paper and will not be covered here. Instead, some of the basic rhetoric elements will be defined and explored. To obtain this goal, the first presidential speech of Thomas Jefferson, his inaugural address, will be used. His speech will be examined in order to identify some of the many elements of rhetoric which it contains. Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States. He also was a great writer and orator. In addition to the address that will be analyzed through the course of this paper, he also wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom. An educated man, he was the founder of the University of Virginia. People read his writings today and still marvel and admire his eloquence and style. Jefferson’s use of rhetoric pleased crowds and inspired them to take action. The greatness of the man showed up in his speeches. A linguistic analysis of his first inaugural address will expose his skill and demonstrate his ability to use words craftily. Jefferson believed that the ability to be persuasive is very important. He said, "In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of first importance" (Issa, n.d.). Herein will the linguistic elements of Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address be discovered. An overall view of his address will reveal how Jefferson used different tones at different, strategic times, to better convey the message. He began with a tone that sounds humble and appreciative. Jefferson said, “I express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me.” Such a beginning relaxed the ego of the audience. As he progressed he developed more confidence and power. This is demonstrated when he says, “Let us, then, with courage and confidence pursue our own…principles.” Jefferson showed that he believed very strongly in the principles that he was recommending the people uphold. In the end, he changes toward a conciliatory tone with the statement of his placating words, “we are all Republicans, we are all Federalists,” in an attempt to unify and empower the nation as one. The rhythm of tone that Jefferson used in his speeches aided his political career. He used tone to persuade and befriend his hearers. The Three Appeals – Pathos, Ethos and Logos The three appeals were identified by Aristotle, a Greek philosopher. These appeals are often employed to win arguments. Jefferson applied all of the three appeals in his address. The three appeals are pathos, ethos and logos. They are designed to play upon the minds of the hearers and prick their hearts. Jefferson knew how important the support of the populations was. He skillfully used each of the three appeals to create for himself a good image. The usage of the three appeals to logic within Jefferson’s fist inaugural address will be identified. The first appeal under consideration is ethos. Ethos helps the listener to identify the character of the speaker. Jefferson had been intricately involved in the establishment of the country. As such, the ethos found in his address referred to key events in which Jefferson participated. Considering his audience, it is very likely that the character and authority if Jefferson was already established in the minds of his listeners. His use of ethos served to bring familiarity of his authority to those who were not already familiar with whom he was. It also served to reinforce and image of himself in the listener’s minds. Ethos is also an ethical appeal. Going beyond the character of the speaker it works to inspire the audience by way of their morals. In the address, Jefferson uses ethos to establish empathy among the scattered consciousness of the people. Examples of usage are when Jefferson refers to the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the initial beginnings of the United States, all demonstrating his knowledge and familiarity with the history and founding of the United States. In the very first line of the address, Jefferson points out that he has been, “Called upon to undertake the duties on the first Executive office of our country” and goes on to say “…I shrink from the contemplation and humble myself before the magnitude of the undertaking.” These remarks by Jefferson in the beginning of his address called upon the audience to concur with him under the ethical notion of patriotism and honor. Pathos is the appeal to emotion. These appeals can be very strong and provoke the hearer to action. Such results are often the source of motivation for orators to use this appeal. Pathos appeals to emotions in a balanced way. If used incorrectly it can take the form of manipulation or take the place of reason. Jefferson, however, was a very skilled orator. He did not misuse the appeal of pathos. The use of pathos is demonstrated in Jefferson’s referral to first person, plural throughout his speech, using the pronouns we and us interchangeably instead of I and me, in order to garner sympathy and unity. As well, he repeatedly used the phrase ‘fellow citizens’ to give his hears a sense of comradery and pride. Through his speech the audience could d come to feel closer to him; as if each one had their own personal relationship with him. Jefferson was generating loyalty. Jefferson further called for the emotional support by stating with moral judgments the things that had occurred in the past. He knew all that the peoples of the nation had suffered through and in his address he revisited these occurrences, stirring up strong emotions in the crowd. He said, “we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance, as despotic, as wicked, and as capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions.” The final of the three appeals is logos. Logos is the appeal to logic. It gives the audience a level of respect and authority as it assumes that they are capable of proper reasoning. Logos includes the use of any evidence or claims. It seeks to convince the audience by presenting the facts. Jefferson used logos in his first inaugural address. His description of “good government” in section 4 carefully enumerated, with his use of logos, his case for a debt-free country that does not “take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” As well, his statements about what he claims are the essential principles of the American government constitute the use of logos. Jefferson claimed that the principles of the government were, “equal and exact justice to all men”, ”peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations”, “the support of the state governments in all their rights”, :the preservation of the General government in its whole constitutional vigor”, “economy in the public expense”. “encouragement of agriculture and of commerce”. “honest payment of debts”, “freedom of religion”, and “trial by juries impartially selected’. All of these were Jefferson’s claim about the government and, as such, fall under the category of logos. The foremost inaugural address by Jefferson has been understood as a prominent writing and speaking display of Jefferson’s insights and his thoughts. The address is a statement regarding what the rhetoric should have to have a look on and offers the tint that it was exactly for a nation that is republic by nature. Although it was a political speech but it represents and speaks the voice of republican crowd in a rhetorical manner as well as the voice of rhetorical crowd in a republican way of expression. The examination of rhetoric within Jefferson’s first address does not have to be limited to the three appeals. The rhetorical skills of Thomas Jefferson can also be examined through the scope of the five rhetorical cannons. These cannons have been identified as style, invention, arrangement, delivery and memory . An important factor of rhetoric style includes imagery. Great imagery can help the listeners form detailed mental pictures about the topic at hand and enable them to get a better understanding of the messages conveyed. Jefferson was a writer who made good use of imagery. He used very flowery imagery in several places throughout his address. An example of his imagery can be found in his beginning sentences as he calls the nation, “a rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land”. Jefferson continues his usage of imagery through statements such as “…the billows should reach even this distant and peaceful shore”, and “a wise and fruitful government.” His speech also contained some metaphors which added to his style. Jefferson’s usage of metaphors appears as he says, “I look with encouragement for that guidance and support which may enable us to steer with safety the vessel in which we are all embarked.” In addition to such metaphors He also uses allusion within his references to the Bill of Rights, listing them in order without naming them as such. Invention is a meeting of ideas; their relationship. Invention is often employed to help the writer of orator find something to say. There are many methods for invention in rhetoric. Invention can also be found in Jefferson’s address. There are various common topics under the heading of invention. These topics include definitions, divisions, comparisons, relationships, circumstances, and testimonies. In his address, Jefferson says, “that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable”. This statement is invention because it falls under the category of a definition. He is defining what a ‘right will’ is. Also, the arrangement of Jefferson’s speech has rhetorical significance. Arrangement is simply the order, or the outline, of a writing piece or speech. Jefferson’s address started with an introduction where he cordially greeted his audience and expressed his feelings of honor. It included a body where in Jefferson states his view points on historical events, the status of the nation at that time, and his hopes for the nation. Then, he closes his address with a conclusion where he again expresses his overall feelings of humility. Delivery is also part of the rhetorical cannons; as is memory. However, to analyze Jefferson’s actual delivery is beyond the scope of this paper. Neither can the memorization of the address be analyzed. There are not recordings of Jefferson’s speech presentation nor witnesses who can recount the full details. Examples of Jefferson’s use of Rhetoric: Examples of Jefferson’s use of rhetoric can be found in many places throughout his speech. Some of them include the rhetorical questions that he used. He asks, “Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him?” Such questions were not meant to be answered, but served to give greater understanding to the listeners. The appearance of these questions in Jefferson’s address demonstrated the eloquence of his speech. It is clear that he wanted to inspire his listeners to think critically. To meditate on the significance of the questions can lead the people to dig deeper and find insight into the topic that Jefferson was discussing. The questions also lead to the realization of a principle that Jefferson was encouraging citizens to live by. He wanted them to know that man can be trusted with the government of others and, therefore, should govern himself appropriately. Other examples of rhetoric in Jefferson’s address come in the form of tropes. Tropes are devices that change the meaning of words. They usually fall under the style category in classic rhetoric. There are many tropes, including anaphora, anastrophe, antithesis, apostrophe, epistrophe and many, many more. Jefferson used many tropes throughout his speech, but not all of them. These tropes give his speech an air of artistic-ness. They show that the speech he was presenting was very well crafted. Not only did the tropes and to the enjoyment of the speech for the listeners, but it had an impact on Jefferson’s image. His speech confirmed that Jefferson was an intelligent and creative person. He serves as a suitable role-model for up-and-coming writers. There are several examples of tropes in his address: Anaphora: “Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things. And let us reflect…” An Anaphora is a repeating of words to create emphasis. The words ‘let us’ were used by Jefferson to stress the group’s togetherness. America was a newly found nation and Jefferson was taking every opportunity to encourage patriotism. Therefore, he reinforced the people’s feelings of citizenship by repeating the phrase ‘let us.’ Antithesis: “, to the acquisitions of our own industry, to honor and confidence from our fellow-citizens, resulting not from birth, but from our actions and their sense of them; enlightened by a benign religion, professed, indeed, and practiced in various forms, yet all of them inculcating honesty, truth, temperance, gratitude, and the love of man; acknowledging and adoring an overruling Providence…” An antithesis is the grouping to gather of words with that which they oppose. Specifically, the words not by birth, but by action’ is an antithesis. Jefferson used this tactic to clear up understanding in the minds of those who were listening. By using an antithesis, Jefferson gave his audience a means for having a more exact understanding of what he was telling them. Jefferson wanted them to understand that their industry would not rise and grow without their dedication and labour. By saying ‘not by birth’ he was telling the people that what they needed was more than just the grace of the position into which mankind was born. He strengthens the meaning in their minds by saying ’but from our actions’. He was telling them that America, as a nation was going to have to be very active for establishing and maintaining an atmosphere like that which the founding fathers had in mind. This antithesis was used as a call of action. Periphrasis: “And may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity.” A periphrasis is an indirect reference to something. Obviously when Jefferson said, “Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe" he was talking about God. It is possible that this was a strategic tactic on the part of Jefferson. He was addressing the general population of America, who was religiously diverse. Jefferson probably did not want to cause any controversy or make anyone feel left out because of their religion. He wanted to acknowledge God without offense. In addition, as the writer of the Declaration of Independence, a forefather in America, and an upholder of America’s proclamation of freedom for all its citizens, Jefferson wanted to convey a message that was politically correct. Personification: “Providence, which by all its dispensations proves that it delights in the happiness of man here…” Personification is when an object or concept is ascribed human characteristics/ In short, it means to describe something as if it was a person. Here Jefferson has described providence as a person by saying that it can find delight in something. This helps others to understand what he is trying to convey in his speech because they can relate better to something when it is given human traits. While it may be difficult for someone to grasp all the elements of providence, they can understand having a delight in something. They can understand this because they have also experienced delight. Now they can look upon providence and see that it promotes their happiness and, as such is a thing to be desired. Jefferson constantly uses lexical words in his speech that are full of action and emotion. In his address he says, “And let us reflect that, having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions. During the throes and convulsions of the ancient world, during the agonizing spasms of infuriated man, seeking through blood and slaughter his long-lost liberty…” The words of Thomas Jefferson could be felt and seen by the audience. He gave so many emotion building lexicon words in his speech that his message was made very clear, even to those who did not follow politics. His use of lexicon words served as the catalyst for many imaginative thoughts. In short, Jefferson’s speech was inspiring. Jefferson’s use of alliteration is demonstrated in the following sentences: “capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions…” and of imagery in this excerpt, “During the throes and convulsions of the ancient world, during the agonizing spasms of infuriated man, seeking through blood and slaughter his long-lost liberty.” Alliterations are found quite often in Jefferson’s address. Alliterations are when sounds are repeated within close proximity. It has been said of alliterations that they “call(s) attention to the phrase and fixes it in the reader's mind, and so is useful for emphasis as well as art” (Harris, 2010). When Jefferson said “bitter and bloody” or “long-lost liberty” he was using alliterations. These words were probably cemented into the minds of the hearers that day and are remembered by those since who have read his speech. Jefferson’s Address Messages Jefferson thus laid down the strong message of friendship throughout his speech strategically. He recalled the virtues of friendship, love, rights, freedom, and wisdom during his first inaugural address to the nation. Jefferson also encouraged an air of patriotism. He expressed his desire to have the nation be united with its citizens all working towards that in the best interest of the country. Jefferson wanted them to remember where they had come from as a nation and where he hoped they would be in the future. Additionally, the whole speech was concerned about prevailing the universal endorsement. In his address he stressed on using the common sense and approval of arguments in order to take the nation to new heights. Jefferson listed the policies that he felt the government to abide by. He was holding the nation to a very high moral standard. Jefferson was a great man indeed. He was found to be very persuasive. Those who resisted being captured in the intricate webbing of his address had to be very tough to please. Conclusion Thomas Jefferson is a man who has been well noted in history. His first inaugural address contained many persuasive elements. Jefferson’s mastery of these elements enhanced his success as his great communication skills won him the loyalty and support of many. Many people were persuaded to agree with him through his writings and speeches. He had a very polished and distinct style in his writing. Even today people are still impressed with his works. Jefferson had long been in the service of his country and had much practice in using his toolbox of rhetorical elements to further the greater cause. His inaugural address is a prime literary example of rhetoric and narrative. As a new president, Jefferson utilized plenty of imagery, metaphors, alliterations, allusions, and the three appeals of Logos, Pathos and Ethos, to generate a deep feeling of unity and wholeness within the population of a young nation who had been fractured with political strife and infighting. Thomas Jefferson used his powerful writing to create a cohesive nation, one at unity who is now focusing on one goal and functioning as one people (D. C.: US GPO 1989). While the many things that Jefferson did are part of what make him so greatly remembered, he is also remembered by his great writing. Those seeking to have great linguistic skills would do well to study Thomas Jefferson’s works. Work Cited 1. Stephen H. Browne, “ Introduction”, Jefferson’s Call for Nationhood: The first Inaugural Address, (2003), pp. 3-12 2. James L. Golden and Alan A. Golden, “Select Public Addresses, 1781 – 1801”, Thomas Jefferson and the Rhetoric of Virtue, (2002), pp. 263-268 3. Harris, Robert . "rhetoric6." VirtualSalt. N.p., 26 Jan. 2010. Web. 27 July 2011. . 4. Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States. Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O.: for sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 1989; Bartleby.com, 2011. www.bartleby.com/124/, 5. Issa, Darrell. "Message from the Congressman." Congressman Issa. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July 2011. Read More