Textuality » 4A Interacting
Obama's speech is organized into 9 different parts:
- Introduction(introduces the speech): He is the 44th US president "At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents"
- Serious challenge (explains what he will make for the crisis): "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord"
- Nation of 'risk-takers': "the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness"
- Remaking America (expressesì the progress of society): "Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed"
- Restoring trust (encourages people to improve the vital trust between people and their government) "The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good"
- Ready to lead (expresses the power ofù America): "They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint"
- Era of Peace (America hopes in a change): "we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve"
- Duties (express the importance of responsibility, loyalty and patriotism): "They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths"
- Gift of freedom: (USA will face courageously the future; the speech ends with a religious theme) "Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.[...] "God bless you. And God bless the United States of America" (Obama believes in God and his aid for American's future)
Barack Obama, in his speech, does not use word like "you", but he refers to American, using the words "we" or "us".
"For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn."
This means that he is an American just like others, even if he is a president. Right from the beginning he speaks about:
- past "Our founding fathers, faced [...]"
- present "This is the journey we continue today"
- future "We will not apologise for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defence"
Even if America is in crisis there will be certainly a future, a new, different era in which all will be equal, all free ... "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers" : his words are importants to know that he is the firs coloured president, he is the symbol for change.
KEYWORDS
- Oath: giuramento
- Founding fathers: padri fondatori
- Hatred: odio
- Health: salute
- Threaten: minacciare
- To gather: radunarsi, raggruppare
- To huddle: raccogliersi
- To pursue: intraprendere
- Peril: pericolo
- To deserve: meritare
- Faint: debole
- To reaffirm: riaffermare
- Doer: chi compie qualcosa "usando la mente"
- Maker: chi compie qualcosa manualmente
- To endure: sopportare
- We: noi
- Unpleasant: spiacevole, sgradevole
- To pick up: riprendersi
- Dust: polvere
- Growth: crescita
- To wield: esercitare
- To harness: sfruttare
- Life: vita
To trust: avere fiducia in
- Safety: sicurezza
- Generation: generazione
- To seek: cercare
- Tirelessly: instancabilmente
- Outlast: sopravvivere
- Religion:religione
- Prosperity: prosperità
- Duties: mansioni,doveri
- God: Dio
- Challenge: sfida
- Nation: nazione
- Loyalty: lealtà To require: richiedere
- To creed: credere
- Enemy: nemico
- Common:comune
- Hope:desiderio,speranza