BARBARA BUSH

‘Believe in something
larger than yourself’

Apolon Alessandra-Maria
American Studies, III year
INTRODUCTION
Barbara Bush was the first
lady of the United States
from 1989 to 1993, as the
wife of George H. W. Bush,
the 41st president of the
United States. She was
previously the second lady of
the United States from 1981
to 1989, and founded the
Barbara Bush Foundation for
Family Literacy.
Rarely has a First Lady been
greeted by the American people
and the press with the
approbation and warmth
accorded to Barbara Pierce
Bush.This is prompted by the
image she calls "everybody's
grandmother." People were
comfortable with her white hair,
her warm, relaxed manner, and
her keen wit. With characteristic
directness, she said people liked
her because they knew "I'm fair
and I like children and I adore
my husband."
BELIEVE IN SOMETHING
LARGER THAN YOURSELF
In 1990, Barbara Bush delivered the commencement speech at Wellesley College in
Massachusetts. Her speech promotes the idea that a meaningful life involves believing in and
contributing to something beyond one's own individual interests. The main arguments include
the value of selflessness, the impact of service to others, and the fulfillment derived from being
part of a larger community or purpose. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, compassion,
and the positive influence that individuals can have when they direct their efforts towards a
cause greater than themselves.
https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarabushwellesleycommencement.htm
 VALUE OF SELFLESSNESS
 LOGOS
Logos is present in the
logical appeal when Bush
explains the practical benefits
of selflessness. She mentions,
"Those who volunteer for
causes like this one...
understand that the more you
give, the more you get in
return." This logical
connection between giving
and receiving reinforces the
idea that selflessness is a
rewarding and mutually
beneficial endeavor.
• PATHOS
• ETHOS
Pathos is used to evoke
Ethos is evident in Bush's
emotions related to self-
credibility as a public figure.
worth and fulfillment. Bush
She states, "I've been privileged
appeals to the audience's
to see firsthand what happens
emotions by stating, "When
when people volunteer, when
you give to others, you get so
people get involved, when
much more in return. You
people take time to help others.
may not have as much money
It’s a wonderful thing that
in the bank, but you have a
happens." Here, her status as a
wealth of self-worth." This
witness to such experiences
emotional appeal encourages
enhances the credibility of her
the audience to connect with
message about the positive
the personal satisfaction
impact of selflessness.
derived from selfless actions.
 IMPACT OF SERVICE TO
OTHERS
 LOGOS
The logical appeal is evident
in Bush's speech as she
provides a rational argument
for the positive outcomes of
service. She states, "There is
no more powerful force for
change in this world than
people... who are motivated
not by personal gain but by
the desire to help others."
Here, she appeals to reason
by emphasizing the
effectiveness of service as a
force for positive change.
ETHOS
The ethical appeal is
established through Barbara
Bush's credibility as a public
figure. Her role as the wife
of a former president adds
weight to her words. She
mentions, "The rewards of
service are immeasurable,
and the impact is
everlasting." This assertion
reflects her credibility and
ethical stance on the
enduring impact of service.
PATHOS
The emotional appeal is
employed to evoke feelings of
fulfillment and significance.
She appeals to emotions when
she says, "The joy you get
from helping others will far
outlast anything else in life."
This emotional appeal aims to
connect with the audience on
a personal level, emphasizing
the enduring emotional
rewards of service.
 FULFILLMENT IN LARGER
COMMUNITY OR PURPOSE
 LOGOS
is evident in the speech when
Barbara Bush provides logical
reasoning for the fulfillment
found in a larger purpose. She
states, "The things that matter
most in this world, they can’t
be seen with the naked eye. You
can’t put a price tag on them."
This logical appeal encourages
the audience to consider the
intangible but valuable aspects
of life beyond material
measures.
• ETHOS
The ethical appeal is established
through Barbara Bush's credibility
and moral authority. As the wife of a
former President, she holds a
position of influence and respect.
By speaking about the importance
of a larger community or purpose,
she draws on her ethical standing to
emphasize the significance of the
message. Her ethos adds weight to
the idea that fulfillment comes from
contributing to something beyond
oneself.
• PATHOS
The emotional appeal is
skillfully employed to evoke
emotions associated with
fulfillment. Bush uses emotional
appeal when she says, "But the
things that matter most in this
world, they can’t be seen with
the naked eye." This appeals to
the audience's emotions,
emphasizing the intangible,
emotional rewards of being part
of a larger community or
purpose.
RETHORICAL DEVICES
 ANAPHORA-"When you volunteer for something larger than yourself, whether it's to a
hospital or a library, you become part of something that's bigger than you are."
 METAPHOR-"The things that matter most in this world, they can’t be seen with the naked
eye."
 PARALLELISM-"You may not have as much money in the bank, but you have a wealth of
self-worth."
 ANTITHESIS-"You may not have the biggest house on the block, but you will have a home in
the hearts of those you have helped."
CONCLUSION
Barbara Bush's speech, "Believe in Something Larger Than Yourself," resonates with the
timeless wisdom that true fulfillment comes from embracing a purpose beyond personal
interests. Through the blend of ethos, logos, and pathos, she advocates for the transformative
power of selflessness, service, and a commitment to a greater community. As she encourages us
to look beyond material measures and invest in human connection, her words inspire a profound
reflection on the values that truly define a meaningful life.
SOURCES
 https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarabushwellesleycommencement.ht
m
 https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/barbara-pierce-bush/
 https://
www.wellesley.edu/events/commencement/archives/1990commencement/commence
mentaddress