Round+Table

**Round Table on Close Textual Analysis **
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=** Artifact **=

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Obama’s 2004 keynote address to the Democratic National Convention is the artifact I’ve chosen for us to exercise our close textual analysis skills. At the time of this speech, Obama was a candidate for U.S. Senator from Illinois, who had just emerged from a difficult primary election. President George W. Bush, Commander-in-Chief of the 16-month old Iraq War, was running for his second term. At the 2004 DNC, John Kerry and John Edward became the official Democratic candidates for U.S. president and vice president. Obama delivered this keynote on Tuesday night, setting the stage for Edwards and Kerry’s speeches on successive nights.

The American Rhetoric Online Speech Bank provides both a video and a transcript of the speech at []. The speech was enthusiastically received, as you can hear in the audio, and propelled Obama into the national spotlight. Just four short years later, Obama was the one to accept the DNC nomination as U.S. presidential candidate. I chose this artifact for us to practice close textual analysis because I was curious to discover the particular rhetorical mechanisms Obama uses to change attitudes and move his audience to act on these changes that have earned him a reputation as a learned, sophisticated, and powerful orator.

=** Readings **=

According to our textbook’s introduction (p.199), close textual analysis is a practical method (to some degree a response to the rise of abstract theoretical approaches in the 70s) that focuses on identifying specific units and patterns of language and explaining how they contribute to the literary artistry and the rhetorical power of a text. Lucas refers to close textual analysis as “sustained studies of the stylistic artistry of [a text…] by probing the discourse microscopically—at the level of the sentence, phrase, word, and syllable” (p. 205). In tonight’s readings, both Lucas (1990) and Black (1994) also incorporate relevant historical context to illuminate specific points of textual analysis, and both use the overall structure of the texts (the five sections of the Declaration of Independence as divided by Lucas and the metaphorical “prism” of the Gettysburg Address as interpreted by Black) to organize their own compositions.

To discuss how specific units and patterns of language work stylistically and persuasively in the texts they analyze, Lucas and Black refer to
 * elements of **persuasive appeals** that we examined earlier in Gula (e.g. major and minor premises (p. 210), propaganda (p. 214), ambiguity (p. 214), tone (pp. 208, 231), //ethos// (p. 233))
 * **parts of speech** (e.g. pronouns (pp. 217, 223, 227), verbs (p. 213), conjunctions (p.224), negatives (p. 231))
 * **figures of speech** (sorites (p. 209), antimetabole (pp. 212, 214-5), chiasmus (p. 214), alliteration (p. 215), metaphor (pp. 215, 222, 224), synecdoche (pp. 223, 225), euphemism (p. 227), paradox (p. 229), irony (p. 223))

=** Additional Resource **=

As I was looking up rhetorical terms in our readings over the break, Sean tweeted the web address for //Silva Rhetoricae//, an online rhetoric handbook that discusses all of these elements as “figures of speech” ( [] ). Although //Silva Rhetoricae// indexes and discusses rhetoric through the Renaissance only, I liked that the figures are indexed in multiple ways so that I could look up the relationships between various figures and between figures and other aspects of classical rhetoric. For understanding terms in the examples of close textual analysis we read, I found “Flowers,” an alphabetical index of the figures of speech, most useful. For doing close textual analysis, I found the “Figures of speech: Groupings index” more helpful because the figures are grouped according to general function (e.g. “figures of order,” “figures of repetition,” and “figures of sound”). I used this index to help me identify and describe the mechanisms of Obama’s 2004 DNC keynote speech. A little time is needed to become oriented to the organization of the website according to the central forest (//silva//) metaphor, but the investment is worth it. I recommend reading the introduction to the site when you first arrive. If you ever get lost, a menu is provided at the foot of almost every screen to return you to “Trees,” “//Silva Rhetoricae//,” or “Flowers.”

=** Discussion Questions **=


 * 1) Lucas and Black discuss the arrangements of the texts they study as particularly suited to their purpose(s) and audience(s). The authors even use the structures of the texts to arrange their explications of them. How does Obama arrange his speech? Is this structure well suited to his purpose(s) and audience(s)?
 * 2) After Black first describes the “prismatic” nature of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, he extends the metaphor to state that his method is to examine the speech “one facet after another in no particular order” (222). Black claims that this method “is scarcely a method at all, at least not a predetermined one. But sometimes—maybe even all the time—a subject deserves to supersede a method, and to receive its own forms of disclosure” (222). This theory for studying the Gettysburg Address is what Black termed an “emic” approach in his “A Note on Theory and Practice” (1980). In “Gettysburg and Silence,” does Black illustrate that close textual analysis is a practical means for an emic approach to rhetorical criticism? How might we use close textual analysis to take an emic approach to understanding Obama’s speech?
 * 3) At the microscopic level of “sentence, phrase, word, and syllable,” what are some of the more prominent figures of speech Obama uses? (We can describe these by basic function rather than by specific figure term.) How do these microscopic features help us better understand the speech as a whole?
 * 4) Do you think historical context is relevant for a close textual analysis of Obama’s speech? What is an example from the speech that supports your position?
 * 5) Do you think Obama’s reputation as a strong orator is supported by his rhetoric in this speech?

=** Additional Works Cited **=


 * Burton, G. O. (2007). //Silva Rhetoricae//. Brigham Young University. Retrieved from http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/default.htm
 * Obama, B. (2004, July 27). 2004 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address. In M. E. Eidenmuller (Ed.), //American Rhetoric Online Speech Bank//. Retrieved from http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm

=** Speech Transcript **=

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Dick Durbin. You make us all proud.

On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, Land of Lincoln, let me express my deepest gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention.

Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let’s face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father -- my grandfather -- was a cook, a domestic servant to the British.

But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America, that shone as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before.

While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor my grandfather signed up for duty; joined Patton’s army, marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised a baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through F.H.A., and later moved west all the way to Hawaii in search of opportunity.

And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter. A common dream, born of two continents.

My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or ”blessed,” believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined -- They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren’t rich, because in a generous America you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential.

They're both passed away now. And yet, I know that on this night they look down on me with great pride.

They stand here -- And I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents’ dreams live on in my two precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible.

Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our Nation -- not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago: >> //We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. //

That is the true genius of America, a faith -- a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles; that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted -- at least most of the time.

This year, in this election we are called to reaffirm our values and our commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we're measuring up to the legacy of our forbearers and the promise of future generations.

And fellow Americans, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, I say to you tonight: We have more work to do -- more work to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that’s moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour; more to do for the father that I met who was losing his job and choking back the tears, wondering how he would pay 4500 dollars a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits that he counted on; more to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn’t have the money to go to college.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The people I meet -- in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks -- they don’t expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead, and they want to. Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don’t want their tax money wasted, by a welfare agency or by the Pentagon. Go in -- Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can’t teach our kids to learn; they know that parents have to teach, that children can’t achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. They know those things.

People don’t expect -- People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all.

They know we can do better. And they want that choice.

In this election, we offer that choice. Our Party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. And that man is John Kerry.

John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and service because they’ve defined his life. From his heroic service to Vietnam, to his years as a prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he's devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we’ve seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available.

His values and his record affirm what is best in us. John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded; so instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he offers them to companies creating jobs here at home.

John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves.

John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren’t held hostage to the profits of oil companies, or the sabotage of foreign oil fields.

John Kerry believes in the Constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties, nor use faith as a wedge to divide us.

And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world war must be an option sometimes, but it should never be the first option.

You know, a while back -- awhile back I met a young man named Shamus in a V.F.W. Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid -- six two, six three, clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he’d joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week. And as I listened to him explain why he’d enlisted, the absolute faith he had in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all that any of us might ever hope for in a child.

But then I asked myself, "Are we serving Shamus as well as he is serving us?"

I thought of the 900 men and women -- sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, who won’t be returning to their own hometowns. I thought of the families I’ve met who were struggling to get by without a loved one’s full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or nerves shattered, but still lacked long-term health benefits because they were Reservists.

When we send our young men and women into harm’s way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they’re going, to care for their families while they’re gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.

Now -- Now let me be clear. Let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued. And they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure.

John Kerry believes in America. And he knows that it’s not enough for just some of us to prosper -- for alongside our famous individualism, there’s another ingredient in the American saga, a belief that we’re all connected as one people. If there is a child on the south side of Chicago who can’t read, that matters to me, even if it’s not my child. If there is a senior citizen somewhere who can’t pay for their prescription drugs, and having to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it’s not my grandparent. If there’s an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties.

It is that fundamental belief -- It is that fundamental belief: I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams and yet still come together as one American family.

E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one."

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us -- the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of "anything goes." Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America.

The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an "awesome God" in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

In the end -- In the end -- In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope?

John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope.

I’m not talking about blind optimism here -- the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don’t think about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about something more substantial. It’s the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker’s son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too.

Hope -- Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope!

In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.

I believe that we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity.

I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair.

I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs and that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us.

America! Tonight, if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if you feel the same passion that I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do -- if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as President, and John Edwards will be sworn in as Vice President, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.

Thank you very much everybody. God bless you. Thank you.

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