1. Lesson Four Inaugural Address

2. Teaching Objectives
To acquaint students with the historical background of the speech
To enable them to grasp the features of a political speech
To help them analyze the structure and appreciate the language of the text

3. student’s presentation on J. F. Kennedy
Focus:
1) What’s special about J. F. Kennedy?
2) What problems did he face as a president?

4. youngest Navy assassination assassination assassination Roman Catholic
Marilyn Monroe
Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
Note.在肯尼迪竞选总统时，曾因其罗马天主教信仰而不断受到攻击。许多人认为，在肯尼迪对国家的忠诚和对教会的虔诚之间，将不可避免地发生冲突。
他反复强调“没有任何天主教的高级教士会在这个国度里对总统指手画脚、发号施令” 。

5. Strange coincidences between Abraham Lincoln and J. F. K
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
J.F.K……in 1946.
Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
J. F. K. ….in 1960.

6. Both of their names contain 7 letters.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy’s secretary was named Lincoln.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

7. Both were assassinated on a Friday.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names comprise 15 letters.
Both ran from the theatre and was caught in a warehouse.
Both were assassinated before their trials.
Both were succeeded by Southerners.
Both successors were named Johnson.

8. contributions
1. demanded on Oct.22, 1962.: USSR dismantled its missile bases in Cuba
2. established a quarantine of arms shipments to Cuba and continued surveillance by air
3. backed civil rights, a mental health program, expanded medical care for the aged, astronaut flights and satellite orbiting
美国历史上第一次公开主张结束族隔离的总统

9. inauguration day and presidential oath
First: April 30, 1789, George Washington
Since 1937, has been changed to Jan, 20
The oath runs as follows:“ I do solemnly swear that I will 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.”

10. Inaugural address
a speech officially made by a person on taking office
Memorable words have been uttered in inaugural address.
In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt told Depression-racked Americans that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.

11. General understanding of the speech
Purpose:
The aim of a political speech is to explain, convince and persuade the people that what he is saying and planning to do best represents their interests so they should support him.
Audience:
As president of the United States, Kennedy has to address a worldwide audience. He has to appeal not only to the American people but also to the different groups of nations in the international community.
Message:
The message in the speech is clear. The United States, the self- appointed leader of the “free democracies”, is prepared to pay any price to defend human rights and the liberty and independence of free nations, so these nations should support and accept the leadership of the United States. There is veiled threat, warning and advice to the enemy camp.

13. Detailed study of the text:
Para1 opening paragraph
importance / significance of his election as president of the US
1. observe
2. celebrate

14. Freedom:
People in the US are free to choose their president.
Antithesis:
end -- the end of Eisenhower's presidential term
beginning -- the beginning of Kennedy’s presidential term
renewal ---- the continuation of the ancestors’ policy
change – change of some policies

15. solemn
--- refer almost exclusive to an extremely formal and inspiring religious ritual. ( grave ) very serious.
a ~ oath 庄严的誓言
a ~ dedication to the cause of freedom
为自由事业而忠贞不渝的献身

16. prescribe --- set down / impose
What punishment does the law prescribe for this crime?
Government schools must work for a prescribed number of days each year.
Good citizens do what the laws prescribe.
Someone who behaves as foolishly as you have no right to prescribe how others should behave.

17. Para.2 the general situation of this world
topic sentence --- The world is very different.
In what way is the world different?
The world is different in the way of science and technology. People have modern and advanced science and technology.

18. the power -- the power of science and technology
with the help of science and technology
1. People can become very rich.
2. People can be exterminated.
Science can be used to get rid of poverty.
Science can be used to destroy all human beings.

19. revolutionary belief ---
human rights
All men were created equal and God had given them certain unalienable rights which no state or ruler could take away from them.
see: Note 3

20. at issue --- undecided , in dispute
The point at issue is whether you are willing to go abroad or not .
That is not the point at issue.

21. Para.3 general policy of the US
People in the US must keep and defend human rights not only in the US but also in the world as well.

22. torch
The original reference is to the Olympic games before which a torch is carried from runner to runner. The flame of the torch eventually lights a fire that signals the opening of Olympics.
This refers to the privilege and burden of leading the nation being passed to a new generation.
<metaphor>
Ideal and responsibility --- of keeping human rights

23. temper: vt. To strengthen through experience or hardship
young soldiers tempered by rigorous exercise
soldiers who had been tempered by combat.
vt. 冶炼
Steel is tempered by heating it and working it till it has the proper degree of hardness and toughness.
It’s a new process of tempering still.
discipline: vt. Train, control, subject to discipline
Students must learn to discipline themselves.
He should discipline himself never to read for amusement.
His dog was disciplined by a professional trainer.
Many parents are unwilling to correct and discipline their own children.

24. heritage
all the qualities, traditions or features of life that have been continued over many years and passed on from one generation to another, used especially to refer to things that are of historical importance or that have had a strong influence on society.
What is our cultural heritage?

25. heritage/inheritance/heredity
1. He received a large _______.
2. We must take care to preserve our national ______.
3. My height comes from my _____.

26. commit --- commit oneself to (doing) sth
be committed to sth/ doing sth --- promise/ pledge to do /support sth
Allan has been committed to staying there for a long time.

27. Commit- to do sth illegal and bad
To commit a crime; to commit suicide
Commit--to commit money or resources to sth, to use it for a particular purpose 投入, 交付, 记住
The company committed its profits to building new factories.
He committed the papers to the care of the lawyer.
I have already committed the rules to memory.
Commit--to commit oneself to a course of action or way of life/ or to a person 同意承 担, 答应做某事或支持某事, 作出诺言
I would advice people to think very carefully about committing themselves to working Sundays.
You don’t have to commit anything on the phone.
The government remained committed to peace A committed socialist
He is a very much committed man./ family-committed
Commitment---a strong belief in an idea or system: commitment to the ideal.
A commitment is sth which takes up time because of promise or responsibility
I have a lot of commitments.
Work commitments forced her to be away from home most of the time.
I hate him. He just does not want to make any commitments.

28. pledge: to make a formal, usually public, promise that you will do something
pledge support/loyalty/solidarity etc
pledge that
pledge to do sth
pledge yourself to (do) sth
He pledged his word that he would come back at the end of the journey.
They pledged their determination to carry on the struggle for Socialism.
They have pledged that they will always remain faithful .
He pledged never to come back until he had found her.
I pledge myself to fulfill the promise I have made .

29. Para.4 strong determination
Kennedy puts the US to the leader, so he says in order to keep human rights, we shall....

30. survival and the success of liberty
1. the survival and the success of "free democratic countries".
2. the newly independent third world countries

31. Para 5. transition
A one sentence paragraph that functions as a transition from the general to the specific.
In the following paragraphs he will be addressing different specific groups of nations.
This much we promise to do and we promise to do more.

32. Para. 6
the specific policy toward his friends and would-be friends

33. allies ---
ally. Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia,/ West European countries
a country that has a treaty or an agreement to help and support another country, esp. during a war.

34. cultural and spiritual origins ---
1. speak the same language /belong to the same language family
2. have the same religious belief

35. antithesis -- United we can do everything. Divided we can do nothing.
--- the importance of unity

36. a powerful challenge --
a strong, powerful threat posed by the socialist camp
If we are quarrelling and split apart, we can not compete with the strong, powerful enemy in front of us.

37. At odds: in disagreement, quarrelling
He was at odds with his colleagues.
Helen and Ruth are always at odds about some little things.
They’re a strange family; as long as I’ve known them they have all been at odds with one another.
asunder: adv. into parts or pieces
Tear something asunder
As wide asunder as pole and pole 象两个柱子那样分隔得 很远
The War forced the parents and children asunder.

38. Para. 7 Whom did he address? --- some newly independent countries
1)He promises to aid (support) the newly independent countries so that they can remain free and independent.

39. ranks of the free -- the community of free and independent nations
a far more iron tyranny --- a communist dictatorship
"riding the back of a tiger" --
Compare "seeking the aid of socialist countries" to "riding he back of a tiger"

40. Para. 7
2) Those countries which foolishly seek the aid of socialist countries will end up by losing their independence as many other countries did in the past.
It is dangerous to ride the back of the tiger. If you do, you will be swallowed up by the tiger.
You will lose your power and independence .

41. Para 8 Whom did he address? half the globe -- the developing countries
the continents of Africa and Asia constitute almost one half of the land surface of the globe.

42. bonds -- chains, fetters (pl)
1. chains, ropes that are used to tie down a prisoner
2. (fig) a feeling, duty or custom that forces you to behave in a particular way

43. help them help --
We pledge to help them on condition that they do their best and do what we ask them to do.

44. Para. 9 He is speaking to Latin American countries.
Usually the US regards the Latin American countries as the backyard of the US, for it has special interest in these countries.

45. sister --
careful choice of word, implying equal relationship, one family
mutual good relations
peaceful revolution = a new alliance for progress

46. prey -- metaphor
comparing "peaceful revolution" to an animal which might fall victim to enemy nations.
We will not allow any enemy country to subvert this peaceful revolution which brings hope of progress to all our countries.

47. Para. 9
1. He offered special pledge that all Latin American countries to work together to make progress.
2. He warned the enemies not to interfere in the internal affairs of these countries, because we are master of this hemisphere.

48. Para.10 He is addressing the United Nations.
The UN is our last and best hope of survival in a world where the instruments of war have far surpassed and exceeded the instruments of peace.

49. Para.10 instruments of war -- weapons, bombs, for waging wars
instruments of peace
-- machines, tools for producing goods

50. outpace: vt. surpass; exceed
He tried to outpace his rival but failed
guess the meaning of the following words: outfight / outgrow / outlive / outplay
outshine / outsell / outvote / outride
outdo / outweigh / outrun
invective: n. a violent verbal attack; strong criticism; insults, curses, etc; 抨击; 辱骂
a stream of invectives
Face the torrent of invectives 面对一顿痛骂
A speech filled with invective 充满猛烈抨击的演讲
He sometimes let loose great invectives against things he hated. 有时侯他对自己所痛恨的事破口大骂.

51. Para.10
1) to prevent the UN from becoming an assembly where people just criticize, insult and abuse each other
2) to strengthen the power of UN to protect the newly independent and weak nations
3) to enlarge the area in which its authority and mandate would continue to be in effect or in force

52. Para.11
He is speaking to the enemies, especially the Soviet Union.

53. make themselves our adversary --
clever choice of words
This phrase throws the blame for confrontation and world tension on the other party. The US has done nothing to create enemies. It's the other side that is challenging the US.

54. not pledge -- not promise
but a request -- but asking the other side to consider his proposal
1) point out danger
danger-- self destruction ( the Third World War)
Advanced weapons will destroy the whole mankind
whether intentionally or accidentally

55. Para.11 anew -- again, in a new or different way
quest -- a search or attempt to find
The quest for gold was long and difficult.
engulf -- (of the earth, the sea) to destroy by swallowing up
The stormy sea engulfed the small boat.

56. Para.12 2) point out position of strength tempt -- attract
We must be very strong. If we are weak, they would attract us. We dare not be weak because it might tempt the enemy to take rash actions.
tempt -- attract
The warm sun tempted us to go swimming.
a tempting meal

57. Para.13
3) point out needs / situation (find no comfort in present situation)
cold war / hostile confrontation
a) Both sides are feeling the great financial burden of the arms race.
b) Both are made conscious of the gradual spread of the terrible atomic bombs.

58. Para.13
c) Both sides are trying to change this uncertain balance of this terrible military power which restrains / prevent each group from launching the Third World War.

59. Para.14-18 4) point out co-operation / different proposals
trying to find out specific field in which we can agree with each other.

60. sincerity is always subject to proof --
One's sincerity must be proved by facts. People may say or promise all kinds of things but they must be proved by deeds.

61. subject to – depending on 取决于，尚待，在……的条件下
They have authority to decide, subject to the minister's approval.
The treaty is subject to ratification. 认可，批准
The plan is subject to confirmation.

62. belabor – set upon with too much talk or advice 责备
If you belabor a point in a discussion or explanation, you keep talking about it or emphasizing it in a boring way.
There is no need to belabor the point.

63. formulate -- work out
If you formulate sth such as a plan or proposal, you invent it, thinking about the details carefully.
1. We had formulated our own strategy.
2. Both sides have the need to formulate a policy that will promote rather than hinder peace.

64. inspection of arms -- absolute --- without limit absolute -- complete
examining/ watching over carefully the limitation of arms
absolute --- without limit
absolute -- complete

65. tap the ocean depths
--- draw upon or make use of the wealth that lies deep in the oceans
mine the ocean beds for valuable metals etc.

66. heed –
give attention to
She didn't heed my warnings.

67. "undo the heavy burdens..."
A Biblical quotation is used in keeping with his biblical style; in keeping his Catholic upbringing.

68. What are the specific proposals?
1. control arms
2. use /develop science for peace purpose instead of the war purpose.
explore the stars
conquer the desert
eradicate disease
tap the ocean depths
encourage the art and commerce
3. enjoy human rights

69. Para.19 point out purpose, object
We must work together to make a new world order.
And, if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, …
(metaphor ), a small beginning of cooperation compared to a beachhead and deep widespread suspicion to a jungle.
And if a little bit of cooperation can lessen the deep suspicion that exists on both sides
strong are just -- The strong nations do not bully the weak.
weak secure -- The weak nations feel safe.

70. Para.20 conclusion one hundred days -- historical allusion,
famous period in American history, in President F.D. Roosevelt's presidential term

71. one hundred days
During the famous “hundred days” ( Mar-Jun ), Roosevelt‘s administration rushed through congress a flood of anti-depression measures (more than 70 bills for approval), which were generally known as Roosevelt’s “New Deal”. “新政”

72. one hundred days Bills:
“Banking Act“ 《银行法》
'' National Industrial Recovery Act"
《国家工业复兴法》
"Agricultural Adjustment Act"
《农业调整法》
The proposals can not be completed in a short time, but let's try and begin.

73. Para.21-27
He appeals to his fellow Americans to support him and to do everything they can, even to sacrifice their lives for their country.

74. Para.21-27
past --- Many Americans died for their country. They showed their loyalty to their country.
present --- Now our generation is called upon to face the challenge of the cold war, to struggle against poverty and disease.

75. Para.21-27 twilight struggle --- not clear, abstract,
Tyranny, poverty, disease and cold wars are not bloody wars.

76. “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation”
---忍受困苦，向往未来
biblical language
to be happy when things look bright and hopeful
to be patient in distress/ in trouble

77. assure/reassure/ensure/insure
1. The witness _____ the judge that he was telling the truth.
2. Registration ______ delivery of mail．
3. My house is ______ against fire．
4. The captain ______ the passengers about the strength of the ship．

78. Para.23
Rhetorical questions are more forceful.

79. para. 24 emphasizing the situation and responsibility
He tries to arouse American people's emotions by saying you must be very proud and glorious, for you are born in this time and you are given such a great duty.

80. para. 24
He deliberately exaggerates the sense of urgency and he wants to make people feel that they are sacrificing for an important and glorious cause.

81. para. 24 freedom in its hour of maximum danger
We are in the greatest danger of losing freedom

82. para. 24 the energy; the faith the devotion = light, fire, glow
The energy, the faith and the devotion that the Americans bring to this task will inspire not only the United States and her people but also the whole world.

83. para 27 conclusion us ---- the president and members of his cabinet
ask of = inquire of (formal)
(of sb) demand
us ---- the president and members of his cabinet
you -- people of the US and the world

84. para 27 conclusion
We demand you to show high standards of strength and sacrifice and we also want you to demand us to show the same high standards of strength and sacrifice.

85. "with a good conscience... "
Our reliable reward is only a good conscience.

86. "with history the final...."
History will finally judge whether we have done our task well or not.

87. para 27 conclusion
With God's blessing and help, let us start leading the country we love, knowing that on earth what we are doing is God's work (which is just)

88. Organizational Pattern
4 sections.
Sect.1. para.1-5 with para5 as a transition
Introduction , the general statement of the basic policy of the US
"We shall pay any price,....."

89. Organizational Pattern
Sect.2 para.6-10
He addresses different groups of allied nations and would-be allied nations; friends and would-be friends.

90. Organizational Pattern
Sect.2 para.6-10
His specific policy towards them.
1. the allies
2. the newly independent countries
3. the developing countries
4. the Latin American countries
5. the UN

91. Organizational Pattern
Sect.3 para.11-20
His specific policy toward the enemy.
1. point out the danger
2. point out he position of strength

92. Organizational Pattern
3. point out the situation and need.
Both sides feel uneasy.
a) Both sides are overburdened with the cost of modern weapons.
b) Both sides are anxious with the wide spread arms.
c) Both sides try to change the uncertain balance of military power.

93. Organizational Pattern
Proposals:
1. control arms
2. use science for peace purpose
3. enjoy human rights
Object
--- to make a new world order

94. Organizational Pattern
Sect 4 para.21-27
conclusion
He calls on the Americans to support him and to sacrifice their lives for their country. He calls on the people of the whole world to unite and work for the freedom of men.

95. Stylistic Features --well organized
--successful appeal to emotions: little explanation, no time for facts
and reasons, emotional impact
--highly rhetorical:
a) appropriate use of words: abstract and heroic-sounding words (faith, devotion, freedom, liberty, courage, loyalty, belief/ explore, conquer, dare)
b) parallel and balanced structures: To those…, to those… to ….,
to….
Let both….,
c) repetition of important words and phrases: forces, belief,
committed
d) antithesis used for force, vividness and emotional appeal:
United,.. divided…
e) a pseudo- Roman style or Biblical language: ask not…; Let
the word go forth

96. Summary of Biblical style
In terms of paragraphs and forms
-- more short paragraphs
In terms of grammar
-- the structures are simple
-- old forms of pronouns, e.g. thou, thee, thy
-- no auxiliary in negative form, e.g. ask not
In terms of vocabulary
-- archaic words, e.g. writ,
-- short and small words