The main logical appeal occurs when Robert Kennedy states that rather than being angry or riotous due to King's untimely death, the audience should embrace King's values of nonviolence and a cooperative, accepting United States. He contrasts the polarization of our country based on race with the more understanding country both Kennedy and King would rather have; a country with a brighter future, not based on superficial differences. He reveals it is completely normal and logical for blacks to be upset at the white population, especially because King was assassinated by a white person. What remains his greater logical appeal is that to honor King, we as a united country must honor his ideas and values. Kennedy admits that based on the past history it is fair to say that there will be a struggle to achieve true equality and acceptance. As a country we must realize that most people, no matter their race, would rather have the country be integrated rather than the divided mess it was at that time. Thus, Kennedy's logic attempts to unite a fragmented nation.
Natasha Virjee
It seems Kennedy really knew what he was doing when he gave this speech. He encompassed the majority of American and tried to please everyone. I think he definitely gained the support he was looking for to integrate the country!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you based your analysis on contrasts. Doing so definitely makes the reader think about how black people must feel in emotional aspects, as well as how they should move on and remember King. It is hard to read this without seeing pathos, but that is okay since this was a very powerful and emotional event.Were there any particular logics or statistics or facts about the death that you could add?
ReplyDeleteI noticed that Kennedy referenced a number of outside sources, from poets to ancient philosophers. His own use of logos is supplemented and improved by this technique. This could also relate to ethos, as the extrinsic ethos of each of the figures Kennedy cites improves the intrinsic ethos of his speech.
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting that some of the logical appeals are a direct result of RFK understanding the emotional appeals of MLK's assassination as well. They seem contradictory, but in this particular case harmonize to form a much stronger piece of rhetoric.
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