Rheotrical Analysis

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As Bush becomes more rigid in his speech, the greater sense of leadership and unity he hoped to inspire. The president fully denounces the Taliban and gives his list of demands, with “No exceptions” (Bush). The strength and power in these demands are meant to be felt by his audience. It is meant to reassure and recover the sense of pride and safety in their homes. It was important for Bush to come across as strong because now more than ever the American people needed to feel empowered and powerful.

Bush informs the listener on Al Qaeda in depth in an attempt to motivate the public further towards action. He states, “(Al Qaeda) hates our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other” (Bush). This unites and certainly motivates the American people because these extremists are not only coming for our lives, but everything that makes us Americans. This angle is key for Bush as he attempts to stir the pot of war. He knows that Americans hold their freedoms above anything else and will do anything to defend it, which is exactly his purpose.

The parallel to past ideologies of the 20th century works to further motivate Americans to war. Bush states that they are the “heirs” to previous systems of fascism, Nazism, and totalitarianism (Bush). This comparison between regimes works to prove the terrorists absolute enemies of the American way of life. Almost all Americans can connect to the horrors of Hitler’s Germany, and Mussolini’s Italy so the parallel back to the current enemy creates something that all Americans can join together in fighting.

This speech is definitely a fitting response to the opportunity. The opportunity being the recent attack on the United States. There is no denying that the address addresses the opportunity and in an appropriate tone as Bush is careful to not alienate any of his audience during his condemn of Al Qaeda (Bush). It is also a fitting response because the other side of this speech (Al Qaeda) would be reached by it and not necessarily swayed either way, but would definitely hear and understand the speech. This speech delivers one of Bush’s all time famous lines, “We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail” (Bush). This line provides the perfect close for a good response as it serves to further unite the people, eliminate any doubts they might have about their country.

George Bush’s speech following the heart breaking attacks of September 11th 2001, brought together a grieving nation. His “War of freedom vs terror” defines the time that we entered that horrible Tuesday morning (Bush). The speech he delivered was a fitting response to the actions of the last week. Bush successfully appealed to his audience using emotional symbols that he hoped would spark action throughout America. Finally by exposing and condemning the terrorists he united all people under the ideas of freedom. Bush’s speech in response to the attack on the United States was the perfect response for the opportunity at hand.

Works Cited

Bush, George W. "President Bush's Address to a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday Night." Joint Session of Congress. 20 Sept. 2001. Web. 8 July 2015.

"September 11 by Numbers." September 11 by Numbers. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 July 2015.

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