Rhetorical Analysis Of Ronald Reagan's Inaugural Address

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These four words that left the lips of a mere mortal, “Tear down this wall!” have, and will, ring into eternity. A speech given by President Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall contained this short phrase. Through the analysis of this text we see Ronald Reagan uses his position as President of the United States and his stance on communism to implore the Soviet Union to tear down the Berlin Wall and unite East and West Germany under the ideology of democracy. President Reagan uses all three elements of ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal to his audience and speak words that would last into the end of time.
President Ronald Reagan was quite an unlikely candidate for President in his early years as he was an actor and radio personality, although …show more content…
Obviously the basis of the speech, as I have stated many times, was to inspire. He at the end of profound statement President Reagans exclaims something to the audience in their native tongue. “ Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin.” Using the native language of the audience formed a connection with them; one that would move them and would compel most to let their guard down, because of the feeling that President Reagan cares for their land just as much as they do. President Reagan once again uses their native tongue to empower the people by charging them with this. “The soviets may have had other plans, but my friend, there were a few things the Soviets didn’t count on—Berliner Herz, Berliner Humor, ja, und Berliner Schnauze.” This roughly translates to having the heart, humor, and even the gruff attitude of a Berliner. I believe that he used these dialects and compliments to the people to once again make them feel united and powerful against a an unfortunate hand that was dealt to them. The most powerful use of logos was his blatant call out of the USSR. He commands, “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Easter Europe, if you see liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” (Reagan) This will be quote that will live through history, and empower many more generations to
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