The American Dream has always been a central subject in political speeches.
Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were not the only presidents who referred to
it in their speeches. Quite possibly every presidential candidate and president
related to it when they accepted their nominations and when they outlined their
political programmes at their inaugurations. Ever since it has become part of
the tradition of political rhetoric in the United States, one can say how centrally
important the American Dream (still) is and what great influence it has on the
American people.
So what exactly is the American Dream? Peter Freese calls the attempt of
defining it “subjective and imcomplete”, especially because he is of the opinion
that the vision and beliefs transferred in the American Dream change with the
times. However, he quotes Hartmut Keil by using his definition of the American
Dream with a lot of its beliefs and convictions that are substantial parts of it:
“Individual success, advancement, materialism, personal success,
neighborliness, naturalness, individuality, freedom, equality, equal opportunity,
search for identity, national purpose, American consciousness, democratic
dream, dream of paradise (…), moving force, liberation of humanity, world’s
salvation”; but he comes to the conclusion that there is not the possibility of a
precise definition in case one does not want to list nearly every aspect of
“American society”.
Still, the fundamental values and virtues that build the basis and are the core
function of the American Dream, are the main part of American political
rhetoric. The metaphor of the American Dream has always been used by being
glorified by politians in their speeches, and mostly with the promise of fulfilment
soon after the elections in case it was a nomination speech. Therefore the American Dream seems to have a realistic side, it is not only a vision or a
utopia when presidential candidates and presidents talk about its fulfilment.
Since the promise of fulfilment is made ever since this subject has played a
major role in political speeches, it is a dream which can and – referring to the
politicians’ promises – will come true.
Table of Contents
- I. The American Dream
- II. President Carter's Inaugural Address
- 2.1. The person Carter
- 2.2. The speech
- 2.3. Illustration of what Carter says about the American Dream
- 2.4. The creation of an image to the public
- 2.5. Rhetorical devices employed by Carter to give an impression of himself
- III. Ronald Reagan's Acceptance Speech
- 3.1. The person Reagan
- 3.2. The speech
- 3.3. The historical references in context of the intended message
- 3.4. Illustration of the values and virtues hinted at or talked about
- 3.5. Rhetorical devices employed by Reagan to convince the audience of his message
- IV. Comparison: Mutuality and differences
- 4.1. Comparison: values and virtues
- 4.2. Comparison: the audience
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay analyzes two speeches focusing on the American Dream: Jimmy Carter's inaugural address and Ronald Reagan's acceptance speech. The objective is to compare and contrast how each speaker utilizes the American Dream as a central theme, considering the historical context, their respective audiences, and the rhetorical strategies employed to either create a public image (Carter) or persuade voters (Reagan).
- The definition and evolution of the American Dream
- The role of the American Dream in political rhetoric
- Comparative analysis of Carter and Reagan's speeches
- The impact of audience and historical context on the articulation of the American Dream
- Rhetorical strategies used to convey the American Dream
Chapter Summaries
I. The American Dream: This chapter explores the multifaceted and evolving nature of the American Dream. It acknowledges the difficulty in providing a singular definition, citing varying interpretations across time and emphasizing the subjective nature of its meaning. The chapter highlights the central role of the American Dream in US political rhetoric, particularly its use by presidential candidates and presidents in their speeches to garner support and outline political agendas. The chapter also introduces the core values and virtues typically associated with the American Dream, emphasizing its function as a powerful political metaphor that holds both idealistic and realistic implications for the American public. It lays the groundwork for the analysis of Carter and Reagan's speeches by establishing the complex and dynamic context within which the American Dream is understood and deployed.
II. President Carter's Inaugural Address: This section focuses on Jimmy Carter's inaugural address, examining its context and Carter's personal background. It analyzes how Carter's speech utilizes the concept of the American Dream, not to persuade voters (as he was already elected), but rather to establish a specific image to the public. The section sets the stage for a comparative analysis with Reagan's speech by highlighting the distinct purpose and approach of Carter's address.
III. Ronald Reagan's Acceptance Speech: This chapter analyzes Ronald Reagan's acceptance speech, delving into its historical context and Reagan's political persona. It examines how Reagan employed the American Dream to convince his audience, contrasting his approach with Carter's. The section highlights the rhetorical devices used to convey the American Dream and the specific values and virtues emphasized. The chapter prepares the ground for a comprehensive comparison with Carter's approach, emphasizing the distinct rhetorical strategies and goals of both speeches.
Keywords
American Dream, political rhetoric, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, inaugural address, acceptance speech, historical context, rhetorical devices, values, virtues, comparison, audience, political persuasion, image creation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Carter and Reagan's Speeches on the American Dream
What is the overall topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive preview of an essay analyzing two speeches focusing on the American Dream: Jimmy Carter's inaugural address and Ronald Reagan's acceptance speech. It compares and contrasts how each speaker utilizes the American Dream, considering the historical context, their audiences, and their rhetorical strategies.
What are the main objectives of the essay?
The essay aims to compare and contrast how Carter and Reagan employed the American Dream in their speeches. It examines how each speaker used the concept to either create a public image (Carter) or persuade voters (Reagan), considering historical context, audience, and rhetorical strategies.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the definition and evolution of the American Dream, its role in political rhetoric, a comparative analysis of Carter and Reagan's speeches, the impact of audience and historical context, and the rhetorical strategies used to convey the American Dream.
What does the essay cover in each chapter?
Chapter I: The American Dream explores the multifaceted and evolving nature of the American Dream, its role in US political rhetoric, and the associated values and virtues. Chapter II: President Carter's Inaugural Address analyzes Carter's speech, focusing on how he used the American Dream to create a public image. Chapter III: Ronald Reagan's Acceptance Speech examines Reagan's speech, focusing on how he used the American Dream to persuade voters. Chapter IV: Comparison contrasts Carter and Reagan's approaches.
What are some key aspects of Carter's inaugural address discussed in the essay?
The essay examines Carter's personal background, the context of his speech, how he utilized the American Dream to establish a specific image, and the rhetorical strategies he employed.
What are some key aspects of Reagan's acceptance speech discussed in the essay?
The essay analyzes Reagan's political persona, the historical context of his speech, how he employed the American Dream to persuade voters, the rhetorical devices used, and the values and virtues emphasized.
How does the essay compare Carter and Reagan's speeches?
The essay compares and contrasts their approaches to using the American Dream, considering their different goals (image creation vs. voter persuasion), rhetorical strategies, and the values and virtues they emphasized. It also considers the differences in their respective audiences.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
American Dream, political rhetoric, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, inaugural address, acceptance speech, historical context, rhetorical devices, values, virtues, comparison, audience, political persuasion, image creation.
What is the intended audience for this essay?
The intended audience appears to be academic, given the structured and professional approach to analyzing themes. The provided language preview suggests it is for those studying political rhetoric, speeches, and the American Dream.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Christine So-Young Um (Author), 2005, The American Dream as a subject in speeches, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115966
