Comparison and Contrast of two U.S Presidential Inaugural Addresses - Essay Example

Inserts His/her Inserts Inserts Grade Inserts Here (Day, Month, Year) The first inauguration speech of President Bush did well enough in persuading the people that they have elected the best available president and the same goal was achieved by the inaugural address of President Obama. This is because both of these speeches contained an appropriate and balanced use of the rhetorical themes that is ethos, pathos and logos. These speeches conveyed the credibility of the speaker to the listeners and they also appealed to their emotions in order to convince them and in addition to that the facts in these speeches were supported by evidence and logic. This is the similarity between these speeches and it is also the reason because of which they accomplished their goal of convincing and persuading people about the worthiness and credibility of their presidents. I would like to start by analyzing the ethos theme of these speeches. The use of ethos is prominent in both the speeches and this theme is majorly used by both the presidents in their speeches. As in the beginning of the speech President Obama used ethos by crediting the audience for his selection and by thanking them and President Bush for the efforts which they have rendered. He also referred to the sacrifices which the people gave in the past as he said: “I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.” The reference to the past and complete credibility to the audience is an efficient way of appealing to their emotions as people usually do have a soft corner regarding their ancestors and their sacrifices. We can see the very same methodology and use of ethos in President Bush’s speech in which he said: “As I begin, I thank President Clinton for his service to our nation. And I thank Vice President Gore for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace. I am honored and humbled to stand here, where so many of America’s leaders have come before me, and so many will follow.” (Barack Obama Inaugural Address) President Bush has adapted the similar theme by thanking the audience and previous president for their efforts. Thanking the previous presidents also reflected that these presidents do not hold grudges against any of the previous leaders and they are humbled by the efforts which the previous leaders have rendered for the state. Both President Obama and President Bush used Ethos to provoke the sense of responsibility in citizens of United States of America. President Obama convinced people that the United States of America can prosper only if each and every individual takes hold of his responsibility and works toward their common goal which is the common benefit and welfare of all the citizens. Ethos usually requires strong and persuasive selection of vocabulary and Obama's strongly framed sentences did the job well and he persuaded the people that they are responsible for the prosperity of the country and for the wellbeing of their fellow citizens as well. It was declared by him: “For as much as government can do and must do, 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, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.” The same phenomenon was delivered by President Bush in these words: “What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.” President Bush, like President Obama, convinced the people that in addition to the programs and strategies of government they are also responsible for the prosperity and success of the nation. Government must do what it is able to do but in the end it’s the public and the citizens who make their country and nation prominent and an exceptional place for living. Again the selection of words and vocabulary is appropriate and proper for tapping the emotions of the audience. Pathos is the second most prominent theme of these speeches. Both the presidents delivered their credibility in an effective way through their speeches. They put forth their concepts and abilities in an amazing way so that they can convince the audience that they are the best selection. People generally believe a person when he has high moral values and when he is just and strong enough to lead them. President Obama put forth his Moral views by saying: “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.” He ensured his audience that he believes in equality of man and under his government each and every citizen will enjoy equal rights and equal opportunities and the rights of every citizen will be safeguarded. Everyone will become a part of the prosperity and progress of their nation— The United States Of America. President Obama also persuaded the people that unlike other leaders he will not make false promises and will not give them fake hopes. He ensured them that he has got the ability to bring a positive and beneficent change in U.S.A— A change that awaits him and the United States of America as he said: “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The 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.” President Bush also convinced people that he is capable of taking the United Nations of America to the heights of prosperity and progress. He said that he will lead his nation in a way that they will respect each other and they will value each other’s lives and property. He also said that he will govern his nation on the principles through which their present can reflect their esteemed and glorious past. He convinced the people that he is capable of doing all this by saying: “And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.” He also said that “ I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it as well. In all these ways, I will bring the values of our history to the care of our times.” (George W. Bush Inaugural Address) We can see a little use of pathos in President Obama’s speech when he discussed the crises which are faced by the United States of America. He elaborated these dangers by saying: “That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.” As it is clear that all this data is a result of proper research and it is factual. If disagreement occurs regarding this data than it can be settled by looking at facts as it can be supported by logic, statistics and research. In President Bush’s speech we do not see any prominent and influential use of pathos. In today’s world of heated and charged politics many people believe that the ways and actions of President Obama are better than the ways and actions of President Bush. But if we do an in depth analysis of the goals and views of both the presidents we will come to know that both of them are directed towards the same goal. They aim to achieve the same objective and their strategies and plans for achieving this objective are quite similar as reflected by their inaugural speeches. There are certain conditions which sometimes make President Bush “worse” and sometimes they accuse President Obama and make him worse. These are just the circumstances which make us think that one is better than the other. However in the real political world they are working on same objectives and are the following the same path. References "Barack Obama Inaugural Address." 20 January 2009. The American Presidency Project. 18 July 2011 . "George W. Bush Inaugural Address." 20 January 2001. The American Presidency Project. 18 July 2011 . Read More