I mentioned this to a couple of you in office hours... it's a handout I gave to a class I taught a couple of years ago. Definitely not required reading, but if your paper has more of an Aristotle focus, this might help.
(The picture is a detail from Raphael's School of Athens... I thought it would be appropriate for a post about Aristotle... he's the guy in the red toga, talking to Plato. The full painting is here. It's Alberti-licious.)
I think I promised to post something else, but I can't remember what it was. Can someone remind me?
I hope this is the right place to write extra credit on president Obama's inauguration speech.These are some examples of logos, pathos, and ethos I found while watching the inauguration ceremony.
ReplyDeleteLOGOS:
"Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year."
- Though America's economy seems to be plummeting, Obama addresses this issue by logically pointing out that although times are hard for many workers, they are still appreciated. America must stick together and continue working in order to prosper. If we surrender out skills to hard times, we surrender our will to succeed.
"Everywhere we look there is work to be done"
- This statement is blatantly logical. This line seems absent of emotion or persuasion as it is simply a fact being addressed. With a new president, a hopeful aura of change surrounds most Americans. However, President Obama knows that although he has great plans for change, he will need to overcome many obstacles to enact them as America has been driven into hard times.
PATHOS:
"For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn."
- This statement is intended to have the audience reflect on their past with sympathy and admiration. Though the line evokes sadness for America's heritage, it makes us appreciate our many privileges in 2009. President Obama takes the initiative to mention how far America has come by inserting this tear-jerking line. He knows that he would not be in his position today without the many hardships his ancestors have faced in order to inspire change.
"Emerged from dark chapter strong, not weakened"
-This line touches America's emotions, but rather than feeling sad after hearing it, we feel hopeful and proud. In the past America has faced many setbacks including war, segregation, discrimination, and depression, but although these events are less than desirable, without them, America would not be as safe and free as it is today. Yes, we have dark chapters, but we have prospered at their ending to create happy ones.
ETHOS:
"...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."
-This line speaks about Obama's personal character. He addresses his race in this statement, once again showing his audience how far America has come in order to accept him as a black president. He reflects on his father's time period, confounded that he was was forced to endure the trials of segregation while his son has the privilege of taking the presidential oath. Obama has taken the past and made it part of his character.
"The world has changed, and we must change with it"
- When I think of Obama, I think of change. His whole presidential campaign was dedicated to enacting a change in America as it felt like this country was falling from a respectable standing. Obama is dedicated to seeing a difference in the country, and will go through many trials to make sure he sees a desirable difference in the country he is running. I truly think that change is part of Obama's character as he mentions it in essentially every speech he makes.
Well done, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI strucutred mine a little differently, hopefully you understand where I was going with my analysis.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, is a great rhetorician; but what exactly sets the foundation of the speeches of symbolism and freedom that allows millions of people to connect to his words? During the Inaugural address given about an hour ago, I noticed that the young President had various instances of ethos, pathos and logos that all contribute to the answer of what sets the foundation to his successful rhetorical presentations. One example that seems to stick to my mind is when President Obama was talking about what the country’s fabric is made of and then mentioned what great things this nation has overcome, "...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,” plays on the ethos as well as pathos that the President brings. Of course the President knows how powerful a statement that can be, especially since the “man with a Dream” was celebrated the day before. It certainly plays on the rhetorical language of emotionally charged phrases, thoughts and ideas; which was able to help build him up to some of his final statements.
Also, during his speech President Obama mentioned that it is “not whether the government is too big or too small but whether it works,” this is a great example of logos because it is one of the more logical rather than emotional or ethical statements he made during his address to the nation. It seems most true and logical that we should worry about how our government works rather than how many people work the government and he made a very good choice by including that in the speech. It helps those listening to him understand why our peaceful transition of power makes us one of the greatest nations this world has seen.
As the cameras went back and forth to different angles and various places around the nation and world, they constantly showed President Bush and not a few moments later, the soldiers sitting in rooms watching the Inauguration on the television in Baghdad, Iraq. Messages like that definitely show the emotional impact that the war is bringing to the nation. Being on the topic of war, the nation’s new President touched on many topics and said that his first official task as commander in chief would be to help sort out the war that we’ve had ongoing for so many years. During his speech he was kind of painting a picture about the war, in a way that one can only notice if they really paid attention to what he was saying about the oath taking and what was going on while the oath was being taken. This picture was painted by the President’s words that many Presidents have “taken oath in still waters… [but also] taken oath under gathering clouds,” where the image of a president taking oath during a time of war and distress makes it one of those transitions that show the great amount of hope and trust the people are putting in this person who is supposed to lead their hands to safety.
Another instance of pathos would be when President Obama, at the time still President-Elect Obama chose to be sworn into office on the Lincoln Bible. This shows so much symbolism that the White House represented so many years ago and the slavery it contained on the mall not too long ago and how this “patchwork inheritance is a strength,” as President Obama mentioned because of all that this nation has overcome. There are definitely more rhetorical encounters that I had with this inauguration, but if I took the time to actually list and analyze each one, I know I wouldn’t be able to due to the great amount of rhetoric that was used. The fact of the matter is that whatever the 44th President of the United States does, He (Or even one day, She) shall lead this great nation to the freedom and safety it calls for, for this is “a nation greater than itself”.
Logos:
ReplyDelete1. “Our nation is at war…homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered…”
-Obama is using war and tangible things to sell his position in wanting change and renewal. Americans are affected by these things either personally or know of someone that has been. It becomes more rational that change is needed in these subject matters.
2. “For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.”
-With the background of many hardships endured, Americans would identify with Obama in recognizing these actions. With the logic of the past, emotions would stir in the direction Obama proposes.
Pathos:
1. “With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. 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. “
-By provoking the emotions felt by those that have lost due to terror and fear, Obama brings raw feelings into account. He lifts those that have fallen and provides them the strength to keep moving.
2. “But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. “
-The appeal here is most direct through out his entire speech. Bluntly stated to achieve his effect of high emotions to the cause of change.
Ethos:
1. “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.”
-As a politician, Obama has gone through many of the processes he speaks of here and uses it to appeal to the faction of audience that doubts his claims of reform. The background he has in government solidifies his belief that change can occur.
2. “For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. 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; 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 but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. “
-As a person of color, his appeal becomes evident in his identification with the “patchwork” of heritage as a melting pot of America. His rhetoric becomes believable when he himself is including in the framework of a vision.
LOGOS:
ReplyDelete1. "But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."
- Obama reasons logically of what happens in the past, telling us that we must focus on things that will remake America a better place. To shape up a better America, we cannot leave things unfinished.
2. "The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good."
- Obama rationally deals with what is truly helpful to the American economy. It's not just of one factor, but of many others, and improving on these aspects will definitely make out economy advance to a much higher level.
PATHOS:
1. "Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life."
- He concentrates in what has happened to those who have fought and sacrificed for our nation, drawing more emotional and passionate ties to his speech.
2. "And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."
- By directing this speech to different audiences of all classes, Obama will gain more support from the general audience.
ETHOS:
1. "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame."
- Obama strengthens the attention of the audience by telling them what is needed for a great nation. Everything is earned. People do not grow famous in one night. Behind fame, there are many struggles and obstacles that are faced.
2. "... 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."
- According to my aunt, the stereotypical image of a president is always a man, white-skinned, and bald. Obama is none of that. Not only is the first color president, he is also one of the youngest presidesnts American has ever had. Identifying with his own identity, he can easily relate to the citizens of America, who are becoming more and more diverse.
Instances of Logos:
ReplyDelete1. “Forty-Four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.”
2. “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.”
Instances of Ethos :
1. “In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned…It has not been the path for the faint-hearted.”
2. “Time and again these men and woman struggled and sacrifice and worked till their hands were so raw that we might have a better life…This is the journey we continue today.”
Instances of Pathos:
1. “…our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that American must play its role as in ushering a new era of peace.
2. “With hope and virtue…let is endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter…”
Analysis:
President Barack Obama’s speech circulated around the premise that America in its current state needs nurturing to overcome such difficult times. He makes no attempt to indulge in the fantasies that things are not that bad or pretend that the issues America must face are easy ones. He clearly states America has many difficult and trying obstacles to come which he refers to as “storms” and he uses the imagery of violent weather to apply it to America’s need for answers to these difficult times. He holds that the fortitude embedded in the American culture and history shall transcend unusual and uncertain times. He also understands the image of America in other nations’ eyes. This is part of his attempt to reconstruct America’s rather negative image to the international community and turn shaky alliances into stronger ones. He repeats the word “journey” meaning the road ahead will be wearisome and long, however, it is “with hope and virtue” that America will conquer its obstacles. He reiterates the urgency of hard work its effects on the present and future, as he is a product of the hard work of his ancestors.
Excellent analysis by those who attempted it here. One thing this ought to demonstrate, however, is that the separation of ethos, logos, and pathos (as codified by our friend Aristotle) is a fairly artificial one when we apply it to actual speeches. A speaker's ethos is important throughout, even when it is not directly referenced. And though it is easy too tell an extremely logical appeal from an extremely emotional one, more often the job of a political speaker like Obama is to characterize logical issues in emotional terms so as to make them more easily comprehensible, as well as more urgent.
ReplyDelete