Analyzing Obama\'s Speech Through Aristotle

Obama's speech is a good example of Aristotle's rhetoric in practice.

The object of Obama's speech is to win the presidential nomination. His speech is persuasive. He is appealing to the populace of South Carolina (and to that end, he praises them and calls them "the good people of South Carolina").

Analyzing Obama's speech is interesting not so much because of the beauty of the speech -- it is indeed a work of art, poetic -- but also because it teaches us much about rhetoric. We see Aristotle's lesson through the subject and form -- through the craft -- of the speech.

Look at the patterns, for instance, of his speech -- the point so f contrast: The people voting for him, for instance, span a diversity of differences: "They are young and old; rich and poor. They are black and white; Latino and Asian and Native American." Nonetheless, this homogeneous diversity merges into one shared aim.

In a more real way, and rather Aristotelian, Obama draws contrast between forces such as 'white' and black', 'good and evil' 'they and us'. He for instance reiterates:

We are up against the belief that it's ok for lobbyists to dominate our government - that they are just part of the system in Washington. But we know that the undue influence of lobbyists is part of the problem, and this election is our chance to say that we're not going to let them stand in our way anymore.

We are up against the conventional thinking that says your ability to lead as President comes from longevity in Washington or proximity to the White House. But we know that real leadership is about candor, and judgment, and the ability to rally Americans from all walks of life around a common purpose - a higher purpose (pdf.)

We have the pattern of 'us vs. them' concluding in verifiable evidence emphasized in poetic prose that 'we' are right.

We again have the negative juxtaposed by the affirmative in a series of sentences towards the end:

The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It's not about rich vs. poor; young vs. old; and it is not about black vs. white. It's about the past vs. The future. (pdf.)

Obama excludes everything that it is not ending with what it is. He particularizes excuses that nay-sayers may bring dashing them with affirmations. The 'no' -- the nil -- is embattled with an 'aye' a strong yes.

Let us take his ending:

Yes we can change.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can seize our future. . (pdf.)