Inaugural Address Pre-reading John Fitzgerald Francis Kennedy:

1917-1963, Democrat, the 35th US President(1961-1963), and he’s a descendant of Irish. In the 1960 presidential election he defeated R. Nixon (Republican) with a close victory. On November 22, 1963, he was assassinated by a 24-year-old ex-marine, Lee Harvey Oswald, who had lived for a time in Soviet Union.

Assassination

structure Para 1~5： general statement of basic policy goals.----determined to pay any price to defend human rights and liberty and independence of free nations. Para6~ 9: addresses different groups of allied nations or would-be allies.----pledge 1.Old allies, white European countries ( Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some Western European countries)

2.New states, newly independent countries, the third world developing countries in Asia and Africa ( The Republic of Central Africa, The Republic of Congo…) 3.poor and backward people in Africa and Asia. 4. Sister republics south of our border ( Latin America) para. 10: wish for The UN.

Para11~20 speaks to his enemy----request All socialist countries headed by Soviet Union and those developing countries preparing to take the socialist road. What is his policy towards "his adversary" Negotiation from a position of strength.

While-reading Proposals: 1) arms control----control and limitation of nuclear weapons 2) cooperation in the fields of science, technology, arts and commerce 3) a new world system Para 20~end appeals to his countrymen for support and sacrifice.

Suitable rhetorical devices and words Parallel and balanced structures Repetition of important words and phrases Antithesis Metaphor Allusion

Language Points: Forebear: (fml.) forefather, ancestor. Prescribe: set down or impose; direct. A century and three-quarters ago: the first presidential oath taken by G. Washington on April 30, 1789. Mortal: of man. (Immortal, the Immortal: God.) Paraphrase: Man has made great progress in science and technology so he has the power to abolish poverty, but he also has the power to destroy human life.

The Oath of Office of the President of the United States I do solemnly swear that I will faithful faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

At issue: in dispute. Our belief of human right has not been decided yet. torch: Symbol of inspiration or ideal. Temper: to make the steel hard by heating it and making it cold. (trained by wars of the 20th century)

Disciplined: received training that developed self control and character Hard and bitter peace: peace but “cold” war. Undoing: destroy, ruin. Commit: to promise or pledge Parallelism Alliteration

This much we promise to do and we promise to do more. Pledge before someone: swear before sb. Pledge for sb.: sponsor for sb. e.g.:pledge land for a loan.

We share cultural and spiritual origins: language (Indo-European System); mythology and literature. Spiritual origin: religion (Christianity) antithesis

United and working together we can accomplish a lot in a great number of joint undertaking. Powerful challenge: USSR-led socialist camp. At odds: in disagreement. Split asunder: split apart or disunited

ranks of free: the community of free and independent nations. iron tyranny: communist dictatorship. (iron: cruel or merciless). those who foolishly ... Ended up inside: metaphor. Those countries which foolishly seek the aid of socialist countries will end up by losing their dependence as many other countries did in the past.

People in huts and villages: the backward and poor people in Africa and Asia who are struggling to free them from poverty and suffering. Bonds: chains or fetters. Seek their votes: to gain the national interests of the United States.

Help…many…poor– save…few…rich: Antithesis. Convert our good words into good deeds…:to change our speech into action. Cast off: abandon. (old tradition) Subversion: ruin. (subvert) Let every other…its own house: let every nation know the nations of America will not tolerate any interference in their affairs by countries out of this hemisphere.

Instrument of war: weapons, bombs for waging war. Instrument of peace: tools or machines for production of useful commodity. Invective: a violent verbal attack; strong criticism, insults… To prevent the U.N. from being an assembly where people just criticize, insult and abuse each other.

To strengthen…and the weak: metaphor To strengthen…and the weak: metaphor. (the power of the UN to protect –a shield. ) Paraphrase: We pledge to strengthen the power of the UN to protect the newly independent and the weak nations. Area: territory; fields of activity. Writ: a formal written document.(+ run) Run: to continue in force.

request: not a pledge or promise, but a serious demand. Before the dark power…self-destruction: before the terrible forces of destruction, which science can now release, overwhelm mankind. Dark: terrible; evil. Engulf: swallow up or overwhelm.

We dare not be weak because it might tempt the enemy to take rash actions, so we must arm ourselves. If we are strong our enemy will not dare to attack us. Both sides overburdened …deadly atom: both sides are feeling the great financial burden of the arm race and alarmed by the proliferation of atomic weapons. (fatal)

Yet both groups of nations (Warsaw Treaty Organization vs Yet both groups of nations (Warsaw Treaty Organization vs. NATO ) are trying to change as quickly as possible this uncertain balance of terrible military power which restrains each group from launching mankind’s final war. (Nuclear War ) Balance of terror: (terror: the terror of deadly weapons.) Stays the hand: synecdoche. Restrain people or nations from starting a world war. Mankind final war: a third world war which will destroy mankind.

So let us…weakness: let us start once again (to discuss and negotiate) and let us remember that being polite is not a sign of weakness. Sincerity …proof: let us also remember that one’s sincerity must be proved by facts. Let us try to find out where we agree and where we can cooperate and work together instead of wasting our time squabbling over things we disagree on.

Be subject to 1. tending or likely (to have) He’s subject to illness. The arrangements are subject to change at short notice. 这些安排一有通知即可能马上改变． 　２．Governed by or dependent on. e.g. The plans are subject to ministerial approval. 3. depending on.(取决于．．．) e.g. Subject to your approval, we will go ahead. 只要你同意，我们马上就行动。

Let both sides explore …divide us: Let us try to find out where we agree and where we can cooperate and work together instead of wasting our time squabbling over things we disagree on. Heed: pay close attention to Invoke: call forth; bring into action or existence. If a beachhead …of suspicion: metaphor, a little of cooperation can lessen the deep suspicion and exists on both sides, then let us…

New endeavor: a new earnest attempt or effort. Now the trumpet …again: Now our country is calling on us once again. Bear arms: join the army. embattle: prepare for battle. To be happy when things look bright and hopeful; to be patient in distress. Tribulation: deep sorrow, grief.

Forge: to form, make. Fruitful: productive or prosperous; prolific. People should feel proud that they have been given the opportunity to defend freedom when there was the greatest danger of losing it. With God’s blessing and help, let us start leading the country we love, knowing that we must do what God wants us to do.

Mortal can be applied both things or person that cause or seek to cause one’s death. But it’s more detailed than deadly and fatal. e.g. He was struck down by a mortal blow upon his head. lethal emphasizes some intrinsic quality in its make-up is certain to cause death. e.g. Cyanide is a lethal poison.

deadly, fatal, and mortal can be used to describe great fear or discomfort, or that brings great ruin or disaster, but dose not lead to physical death. A fatal mistake; a deadly insult; in mortal terror.

Faithful implies continued, steadfast adherence to a person or thing by an oath, duty, obligation… e.g. a faithful wife. Loyal implies undeviating allegiance to a person, cause, institution, which one feels morally bound to defend or protect. E.g. a loyal friend. Constant: firmness in one’s affections or loyalties. E.g. a constant lover.

Resolute stresses unwavering determination, often in adherence to one’s personal ends or aims. E.g. She was resolute in her decision to leave. Staunch stresses one’s principles or purpose being not turned aside by any cause. A staunch defender to the truth.

Post-reading 1. Recite the speech after class; 2. Find out the specific rhetorical devices used in this speech.