Christian I.

COM 317- Rhetorical Criticism

Dr. King

Metaphor Criticism
John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address

During the 1960s the U.S. was faced with many hardships and challenges, with the hope
of change and renewal. Racial injustices and civil liberties were the core of the problems. The
Civil Rights movement started to come forth, lead by spokespeople like Martin Luther King Jr.
and Malcolm X. In other parts of the world, such as Cuba, Fidel Castro had declared he was a
communist, and the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations. In 1962, a spy plane identified long
range of missiles in Cuba. President John F. Kennedy had readied troops to invade Cuba, and the
Soviet Union was also in on this event, and would be prepared to fire at the U.S. it made a move.
John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address was delivered on January 20, 1961, in Washington
D.C., at 12:51pm. The speech was 16 minutes long, and it was broadcasted on radio as well as
television. Kennedy brought a couple unique qualities to the table, which many people seemed
to admire. Kennedy was the youngest person elected U.S. President, and the first Roman
Catholic to serve in that office. In the post World War II era, he gave many Americans hope that
things would indeed get better, as well as his stance on foreign policy. His Charismatic persona,
and youthful energy, really caught the publics eye. In John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address, I
will be exploring how a message can utilize metaphors to confront challenges. Using Metaphor
Criticism, the key metaphors must be isolated, to then be broken down. One must remember that
the meaning of the metaphors must relate back to the clues from the setting, occasion, and the
audience. Metaphor Criticism will also be used to identify the tenors and vehicles that will
classify these confronting challenges.

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In the beginning of the speech Kennedy refers to a beginning and an end. The Old
Beginning symbolizes the injustices going on in the U.S. at the time. The New Beginning
symbolizes the pursuit for Social changes, as well as for equal Civil liberties to all.We observe
today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedomsymbolizing an end as well as a
beginningsignifying renewal as well as change.The U.S. has the power to make a change, to
take control of the hardships, the liberties that we are given are of God, not of man. For man
holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of
human life. We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go
forth from this time and place, to find a foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new
generation of Americans. The Heirs metaphorically speaking are the new generation of
America, the new leaders. These new leaders have reached a new era. The Americans of the
new era have symbolically taken over by the passing of the torch. They are born in this century,
tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of their ancient heritageand
unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has
always been committed, and to which it is committed today at home and around the world. The
torch, as a metaphor, is the vehicle, and the ground is seen as if it were a race, marathon, or even
an Olympic Relay. These people are committed to fight, to make a change, here, and in other
parts of the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear
any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and
success of liberty. Kennedys speech makes it clear to the whole world that no matter what the
circumstances may be, or hardships this country must face, it will never give up, it shall seek
liberty. In the speech, he goes on saying, that the poorest people of the world that live in huts

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that are in misery will be helped by them. Communism was mentioned in the beginning of this
analysis, and it is mentioned in the speech as well. The Speech makes note that communist party
could be helping them for their personal benefit, in order to receive votes from them; and John F.
Kennedy goes along saying that it is not their intention for that to happen, they do not expect
anything in return. America wants to help these people because they believe it is the right thing
to do.
Kennedy has mentioned what is wrong with the world now, and what America is willing
to do, but he now is making pledge with the rest of the world. America will join with its
neighbors to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. To our sisters the
republics south of our border, we offer a special pledgeto convert our good words into good
deedsin new alliances for progressto assist free men and free governments in casting off the
chains of poverty. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the
master of its own house. In this metaphor, the Hemisphere is referring to us, the U.S. (North
American Continent) it is a free country that will govern itself. No other countries, or masters
outside of this hemisphere shall take charge of it. The Tenor is the Hemisphere and the vehicle
is the House.
Seeking peace seems to be one of the central goals. Kennedy proposes to those that
oppose him, his adversaries, (or enemies) to make peace with them. He does not want the
science and technology of today (that time) to have a negative influence, which could cause
destruction among both, accidentally or purposefully. Either sides, (or nations) are overburdened
by the cost of weapons, and both are alarmed/ concerned of the technological advances that are
taking place. According to Kennedy, we should be able to work together (the Nations) civility
and sincerity should be what they should seek, start fresh. So let us begin anewremembering

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on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let
us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. We should unite with the
other nations to solve our problems, rather than divide. Let both sides explore what problems
unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. An important thing to consider
is how the last three paragraphs are worded at the beginning Let both sides. Those both sides
are the hemispheres, us, and the rest of the world. The last paragraph, makes a Biblical
reference at the end, Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of
Isaiahto undo the heavy burdensand let the oppressed go free.
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides
join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the
strong are just and the weak secure the peace preserved. Beachhead and Jungleserve as the
vehicles, for the Tenors, which represents cooperation. The process of change will be long, we
do not know how long, but we must start, All this will not be finished in the first one hundred
days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this administration,
nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
We are strong powerful nations, we have weaponry, and all the means to defend
ourselves, but from what? We all share a common enemy, not each other, but our current
settings. Now the trumpet summons us againnot as a call to bear arms, though arms we need
not as a call to battle, though embattled we arebut a call to bear the burden of a long twilight
struggle, year in and year out, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulationa struggle against the
common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself. The trumpet serves as a
symbol. This final portion of the speech goes back to the torch metaphor. It is in our hands, we
now carry the torch. Metaphorically, we want to finish this race, together (we and the nations)

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hand-in-hand, trying to overcome obstacles. When faced with these challenges, the messages of
these metaphors not only builds up a type of suspense to the world, not knowing what is about to
happen, but motivates us to take the first step (symbolically) in making that change. Kennedys
two most memorable phrases in this speech are: And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what
your country can do for youask what you can do for your country. To the other people of the
world, he says, My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what
together we can do for the freedom of man. A message delivered through the use of a metaphor,
can provide a reassuring vision to a Country, or to an individual to take the initiative, make a
change, without fear of moving forward. The messages in the speech are positive, motivational,
and comforting. The depth of theses messages not only gives hope to those facing challenges,
but provides them with the courage to overcome the fears for a promising and new America.

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References
corporation, K. L. (n.d.). John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum .
Retrieved from John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum :
http://www.jfklibrary.org

Foss, S. K. (2009). Metaphor Criticism . In S. K. Foss, Rhetorical Criticism (pp. 267306). Long Grove, IL:
Waveland Press, Inc. .

University of Virginia . (2013). American President: John Fitzgerald Kennedy .

Retrieved from millercenter.org/president/kennedy:
http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy