Paper 1: Analyzing a Political Speech

Introduction:

The text representing Ronald Reagan addressing the people of West Berlin can be identified as a speech. This can be said due to the fact that throughout the speech, we can identify that he is addressing a large audience by saying “ladies and gentlemen” and overall, using very inclusive language to address the public such as “We” and “Our”. These are some literary elements that help us understand that the this text is spoken out loud. Raegan’s main goal in his speech is to challenge his audience by resonating with the public. The former President proceeds by presenting his powerful words to the public with ambition and determination in hopes of inspiring his audience through the use of literary elements and rhetorical devices; these will be explored throughout this analysis.

When considering the possible target audience of the speech, the time and place should be taken into consideration. As Ronald Reagan performed his speech in West Berlin, as previously said, his words are intended for the people of West Berlin as well as  the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev. We know this by reading direct statements from Ronald Reagan, openly spoken towards the General Secretary such as when he says, “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace (...) Mr Gorbachev tear down this wall!”. The original purpose of this speech is to inform, convince, and persuade the audience. Ronald Reagan’s goal is to connect with a larger audience, thus being people in Germany and the Soviet Union, and convince the Communist party leaders to tear down the Berlin Wall as an emblem of hope, freedom, and final peace. Throughout his speech, we see the use of inclusive language such as “I invite” and “I pledge you”, ultimately convincing his audience that the power is in their hands, allowing them to feel empowered themselves. Being a visitor in Berlin at the time, Reagan allows himself to feel comfortable and at ease with his audience by addressing them in German as seen in this example; “(...) because wherever I go, whatever I do: Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin. [I still have a suitcase in Berlin]” This use of pathos is obviously appealing to the audience, allowing them to connect and incite relaxed and safe feelings with the speaker.

“Tear Down this wall!” was a speech spoken by former American President, Ronald Reagan to the people of West Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987, commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin. As referred to by the president, the Berlin Wall was known as a symbol of communist oppression built in 1961 to keep Germans from escaping Communist-dominated East Berlin into Democratic West Berlin, standing as a symbol of the Cold War between the US and Soviet Russia in which two political oppositions struggled to find dominance amongst each other. In reference to the content, some enforced themes throughout the speech include those of strength and empowerment which can be identified through Reagan’s choice of diction and inclusive language. Reagan associates himself as being one for the people by making connections between his intentions and their outcome which will surely be brought upon by the people. The speaker places the audience in a position of power, inspiring them to join his path to freedom and liberty. Reagan frequently associates present day Berlin with past events, thus signifying it’s strength and power over the world.

The tone of this speech comes across as rather preachy and philosophical as Reagan frequently poses up discussions of freedom and the reality of the situation. As previously said, the main purpose of the speech is to inform the audience, in hopes of persuading as well as convincing his listeners. Reagan brings questions about the future outcome of the situation with statements such as “(...) it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind.” thus allowing the audience to gather their thoughts as they process the meaning behind this play-on-words. The tone of the speech makes Reagan seem understanding to the public as he presents himself as a humble individual who is in the same position as his listeners. In addition to this, he expresses his thoughts in a comfortable fashion versus condescendingly addressing his audience on a very controversial and sensitive subject matter.

Throughout his speech Reagan employs several literary and rhetorical devices which cater towards his original purpose: to convince Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall for the sake of freedom and restoration of peace between Germany and the Soviet Union. Firstly, one of the most common devices that is used most frequently is the use of pathos and logos. Reagan implements pathos in his words by speaking a few words in German, with the evident intention of appealing to his audience in regards to his location by saying statements such as, “ Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin. [I still have a suitcase in Berlin]”  assuring his audience that he feels comfortable in their country, thus creating a familiar atmosphere for the public.In addition to this, “Es gibt nur ein Berlin” [There is only one Berlin.] is said to empower his audience. In terms of logos, Reagan's makes several references to influential persons who once held/hold a respectable status of importance and power such as President von Weizsacker, the United States Secretary of State, etc. This has a positive and influential effect on the audience as the speaker uses significant evidence to support his claims.

Along with techniques used to persuade and convince such as logos and pathos, Reagan also uses asyndeton when he says, “(…)we’re drawn by other things here as well: by the feeling of history in this city, more than 500 years older than our own nation; by the beauty of the Grunewald and the Tiergarten; most of all, by your courage and determination.” This is used to create a positive presentation of the German people and show evident appreciation for his listeners/hopeful supporters. Thirdly, Reagan effectively uses an antithesis to figure the balance between two contrasting ideas that hold a great importance when he says, “it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind.”. 

The speech reaches it’s climax when the listeners begin to feel the speaker addressing his audience at a faster pace, evidently used to emphasize their main purpose and intentions. Within the climax of the speech, Reagan uses an anaphora to address not only the public but General Secretary of the Soviet Union Gorbachev, repeating the words “If you seek.” Consistently. At this point in his speech, the pace has picked up as he speaks one of the most memorable lines “tear down this wall!”. The use of an anaphora is used a second time towards the end of the speech as Reagan refers to the wall as if it were alive, further emphasizing it’s symbol of power by saying; he says, “Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.”

Overall, the structure of the speech is very straightforward and holds many statistics, as seen in Reagan’s use of Logos throughout the speech. The speaker’s ideas are well organized and move in a consistently smooth flow, with one idea proceeding to the next. While reading the speech, the reader gradually begins to feel a shift in pace as the speaker’s thoughts and main points develop, making it effective and consistent.

 In conclusion, throughout this essay we have analyzed Reagan’s words and his effective use of literary and rhetorical devices. Ronald Reagan’s words remain to be influential to this day and have marked a significant historical event; the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989.