This paper examines the speech of Barack Obama “Yes we can”. The focus lies on the used concept of the American Dream. The second focus involves a statement that Hillary Clinton made during the primary campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The work concentrates on Barack Obama’s own biography “Dreams from My Father”, his book “Audacity of Hope” describing his thoughts of reclaiming the "American Dream", and Jim Cullen’s often cited book “The American Dream”. The main sources for the analysis of the speech are Harald Frank’s book “Rhetorische Analyse der “Yes we can” Rede von Barack Obama” and Shel Leanne’s book “Say it like Obama”. For the concluding evaluation of Barack Obama’s political achievements various articles and statistical data are used.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Barack Obama's biography
- 3 The "American Dream"
- 4 Barack Obama's "Yes, we can" speech
- 4.1 America's situation when the speech was given
- 4.2 Main topics of the speech
- 4.2.1 Change in politics
- 4.2.2 Unifying the American nation
- 4.2.3 Barack Obama's political agenda
- 4.2.4 References to the "American Dream"
- 5 Evaluation of Barack Obama's political agenda
- 5.1 Hillary Clinton's statement "all rhetoric, no substance"
- 5.2 Achievement of Barack Obama's political agenda
- 6 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper analyzes Barack Obama's "Yes, we can" speech, focusing on how he utilized the concept of the "American Dream" to convey his key messages. It also examines Hillary Clinton's criticism of Obama as "all rhetoric, no substance," assessing the accuracy of this claim by evaluating Obama's fulfillment of his promises regarding the "American Dream" during his presidency.
- The role of the "American Dream" in Obama's "Yes, we can" speech.
- The key messages and themes within the "Yes, we can" speech.
- An analysis of Hillary Clinton's critique of Obama's political agenda.
- An evaluation of Obama's presidential achievements in relation to the "American Dream."
- Barack Obama's biography and its influence on his political views.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the research paper by describing the unique circumstances of the 2008 Democratic primaries, highlighting the unprecedented candidacy of both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. It emphasizes the importance of the New Hampshire primary and the subsequent "Yes, we can" speech, which forms the central focus of the study. The chapter introduces the two main research questions: how Obama used the "American Dream" in his speech and whether Clinton's assessment of him as "all rhetoric, no substance" was accurate.
2 Barack Obama's biography: This chapter provides a concise overview of Barack Obama's life, emphasizing the diverse and formative experiences that shaped his perspective on the "American Dream." From his mixed-race heritage and upbringing in Hawaii and Indonesia to his academic achievements at Columbia and Harvard, and his community organizing work in Chicago, the chapter traces Obama's personal journey and its influence on his political ideals. His publications, "Dreams from My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," are highlighted as crucial sources for understanding his views on the "American Dream" and his vision for American society.
3 The "American Dream": This chapter delves into the fundamental principles and historical context of the "American Dream," establishing a framework for understanding its significance within the context of Obama's speech and political career. It lays the groundwork for analyzing how Obama employed the concept to connect with voters and articulate his political vision. The chapter likely explores various interpretations and evolutions of the "American Dream" over time, setting the stage for a nuanced understanding of its influence on Obama's rhetoric and political agenda.
4 Barack Obama's "Yes, we can" speech: This chapter offers a detailed analysis of Obama's "Yes, we can" speech, examining its context, main themes, and rhetorical strategies. It explores the specific ways in which Obama employed the "American Dream" to resonate with his audience, analyzing the speech’s structure, language, and appeals. This in-depth exploration examines how the speech addressed the nation's situation at the time, unifying themes, Obama's political aims, and direct references to the "American Dream" itself, setting the stage for later chapters to evaluate the success of his promises.
Keywords
Barack Obama, "Yes, we can" speech, American Dream, Hillary Clinton, political rhetoric, presidential campaign, 2008 election, political agenda, social change, hope, unity, political promises.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Barack Obama's "Yes, We Can" Speech
What is the main topic of this research paper?
This research paper analyzes Barack Obama's "Yes, we can" speech, focusing on his use of the "American Dream" to convey his message and examining Hillary Clinton's criticism of his campaign as "all rhetoric, no substance." It evaluates the accuracy of Clinton's assessment by analyzing Obama's fulfillment of his promises related to the "American Dream" during his presidency.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the role of the "American Dream" in Obama's speech, the speech's main messages and themes, an analysis of Hillary Clinton's critique, an evaluation of Obama's achievements concerning the "American Dream," and Barack Obama's biography and its influence on his political views.
What does the paper cover in terms of content?
The paper provides a comprehensive overview, including a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It covers Barack Obama's biography, the concept of the "American Dream," a detailed analysis of the "Yes, we can" speech, and an evaluation of Obama's political agenda and its achievements.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into six chapters: an introduction setting the context of the 2008 primaries; a chapter on Obama's biography; a chapter exploring the "American Dream"; a detailed analysis of the "Yes, we can" speech; an evaluation of Obama's political agenda, including Clinton's critique; and a conclusion.
How does the paper analyze Obama's "Yes, we can" speech?
The analysis delves into the speech's context, main themes, and rhetorical strategies, examining how Obama used the "American Dream" to connect with his audience. It explores the speech's structure, language, appeals, and how it addressed America's situation at the time.
How does the paper address Hillary Clinton's criticism of Obama?
The paper directly addresses Hillary Clinton's statement, "all rhetoric, no substance," evaluating its accuracy by assessing Obama's fulfillment of his promises related to the "American Dream" during his presidency. It examines the extent to which his political actions matched his rhetorical claims.
What is the significance of the "American Dream" in the paper?
The "American Dream" serves as a central theme, framing the analysis of Obama's speech and political agenda. The paper explores the historical context and various interpretations of the "American Dream" to understand its influence on Obama's rhetoric and political vision.
What keywords are associated with this research paper?
Keywords include Barack Obama, "Yes, we can" speech, American Dream, Hillary Clinton, political rhetoric, presidential campaign, 2008 election, political agenda, social change, hope, unity, and political promises.
What is the purpose of providing chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries offer a concise overview of the content of each chapter, providing readers with a clear understanding of the key arguments and findings presented in each section of the research paper.
Who is the intended audience for this research paper?
The intended audience is likely academics and researchers interested in political rhetoric, presidential campaigns, the "American Dream," and the political career of Barack Obama. The structured format suggests suitability for academic use and analysis.
- Quote paper
- Luisa Grötsch (Author), 2019, The American Dream in the Speech "Yes we can" by Barack Obama, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/937090
