Antonio-Dmitri Gilliam

ENGL 211C

Rhetorical Analysis

25 September 2017

Rhetorical Analysis of “Ich bin ein ” – John Fitzgerald

Former United States President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in his speech, “Ich bin ein

Berliner” in West , evokes the memory of the end of WWII and the .

Kennedy’s purpose is to convey the idea that we are all indivisible, combat the idea of

cooperating with Communism, promote the well-being and support of . The complete message was aimed at the Soviets as much as it was for the Berliners. He adopts a rallying tone in order to appeal to the Germans, all the while having an underlying tone of being on the offense towards Communism and its supporters. Kennedy uses pathos heavily, historical references, and epistrophe to convey his feelings but to also target two separate audiences.

Kennedy begins his speech to the Berliners by forging a bridge of trust and sympathy to

his German audience utilizing pathos. He does this by acknowledging his host as a distinguished

member of that culture, while also having with him, General Clay, who the Germans see as a

symbol of trust amongst Americans. “And I am proud to visit the Federal Republic with your

distinguished Chancellor … here in the company of my fellow American, General Clay, who has

been in this city during its great moments of crisis and will come again if ever needed”. Another way he forms a sense of togetherness, he states an old Latin saying “civis romanus sum” (I am a

Roman citizen) and “Germanizes” the phrase and gets “Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner).

This not only hypes up the German crowd but also gives them a small humor relief because a

“Berliner” is a jelly-filled donut made in Germany.

As the speech progresses, Kennedy begins to build confidence and support for the well- being of German and its citizens by attacking the Soviets and their supporters who would want to threaten democracy. “There are many people in the world who really don't understand, or say they don't, what is the great issue between the free world and the Communist world…Let them come to Berlin”. Within this quote, “And there are some who say in Europe and elsewhere we can work with the Communists. Let them come to Berlin”, he attacks Khrushchev without mentioning him. Kennedy is telling the world that if you believe in Communism, then come to

Berlin to see what ruin has been brought at the hands of Communism. He greatly emphasizes the need to see the destruction and strife that Germany is facing by using epistrophe with the phrase,

“let them come to Berlin”, and to bring in more sentiments from the Germans by saying that exact phrase in German, “Lass’ Sie nach Berlin kommen”. He once more attacks the Soviets by utilizing their own physical structure against them, whilst pointing out a weakness for both audiences, “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us.”

Towards the end of Kennedy’s speech, he adds in more pathos to solidify his message.

He appeals to the greater good while still maintaining emotional appeal by mentioning that the wall, one of the greatest failures of Communism is “an offense not only against history but an offense against humanity, separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wish to be joined together.” Kennedy does through in a bit of ethos at the end of the speech saying, “Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free… Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe.” He can adequately talk about slavery and freedom seeing as though he comes from a country that has a dark history with slavery.

To conclude, John F. Kennedy perfectly conveys the feeling and importance of unity to combat Communism and to keep the moral and hope of the Germans up. He uses so much pathos to keep the hearts of the Berliners while also attacking the opponents to keep everyone focused.