TOW #19: Written - "Pearl Harbor Address to the Union" by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrpearlharbor.htm

 After the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii by Japan, the United States was in a state of chaos. With a World War II raging on in many different countries in Europe, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor made the war more personal for the people of America. Delivering an address to the country the day after the attack on December 8, 1941, former president Franklin D. Roosevelt brings comfort and arouses a fighting spirit that America is known for. By utilizing repetition and uniting diction and phrases to rally the American people as the U.S. prepares to go to war.

Roosevelt uses repetition to stress the wrong misdoings of Japan and to personalize the war to America. By repeating the phrase "last night, Japanese forces attacked", the president provides background information about the war occurring in the world around the nation. After repeating this phrase three times and listing various countries and islands that were devastated by the war, the phrase "and this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island" follows. The repetition allows the build up of tension and emotion to the final mention of the attack on Midway Island, which is an American territory. Repetition emphasizes the attacks of Japan and allows Roosevelt to deliver the final punch-line of the Japanese eventually attacking the home-front. In addition, Roosevelt's usage of repetition in "yesterday", seen four times throughout his entire speech, reminds the audience of the fresh wounds Japan has caused. The emphasis on time, in his repeated use of "yesterday", guides the audience to remember Pearl Harbor and the feelings of anger, sadness, and patriotism that accompanied the attack.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt utilizes uniting diction and phrases to unite the people in a time where war is quickly approaching in order to rally a fighting spirit; this, in turn, allows the U.S. to officially enter World War II. Throughout Roosevelt's short address, phrases such as "the people of the United States," "our nation," and "our whole nation" are used. The diction of "our", which is the perspective of first person, brings forth emotions of unity and oneness. By stressing America and the American people being one, the president emphasizes that the whole country is affected; therefore, since the president reflects and shares the opinions of the people (as Roosevelt states), that action must be taken. Such uniting diction and phrases rallies support for the country entering into World War II and arouses a fighting spirit, nationalism, and patriotism. By using Pearl Harbor as a vehicle, the United States will eventually enter the war.

Through Roosevelt's usage of repetition and uniting diction and phrases, the president is able to show the wrongdoings of Japan, unite the nation, comfort the country, and help convince the people that action must be done. Roosevelt's effectiveness is seen when the United States enters the war with the Allies. In a time of chaos and outrage, the president successfully addresses the attack on Pearl Harbor and emphasizes, yet again, that America is a nation that will not tolerate for injustice.