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Shelby Henderson
Ms. Woods
English 111; RA
October 1, 2014
Words Can Lift a Nation
Powerful speeches that console, inspire, and persuade have filled the ears of
citizens across the nation throughout history. On September 11, 2001, the United States
was plagued with the unthinkable terrorist bombing of the twin towers and attack on the
Pentagon that resulted in the death of nearly 3,000 lives. The president and commander in
chief at the time, George W. Bush, had the obligation of addressing the nation to offer
solace, provide information for resolution, and give assurance that the nation would
overcome. On the evening of 9/11, Bush gave the speech known as the Address to the
Nation to fulfill those obligations. What made his address strong were the various
rhetorical tools employed. From tapping into the audiences emotions, to creating an
environment of pride in such a time of sorrow, his speech certainly fulfilled the needs of the
country on that unforgettable day.
One of the most distinguishable rhetorical devices Bush exercises in his speech is
allusion. When the speech is almost over he presents one more chance for condolence and
does so by drawing a quote from Psalm 23 that reads, Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me. Such an iconic quote
indubitably connects with a wide audience. It is clearly referencing that God is always
present in times of great need. This connects greatly to the victims of 9/11 because surely
they are in a time of the greatest need. It applies to more than just the directly effected

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victims, however, because people across the nation were disconcerted about the security of
the whole country. Bush tries to console their fear earlier in the speech by revealing that
the military is armed and ready, and prepared to take down the enemy. For many people
that may not have been enough reassurance, but reminding them that God is always there
and to have no fear certainly could have comforted many people.
Arguably one of the most powerful devices applied was metaphoric language. Fairly
early in the speech Bush presents two very prevailing sentences that read, Terrorist
attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the
foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American
resolve. Juxtaposing the twin towers to the nation and describing that essentially it will
not fall like those buildings did is extremely inspiring. Many people at the time associated
the defeat of those buildings with the defeat of the whole nation, and Bush is condemning
that attitude directly. He is communicating that if people think like that they truly are
defeated. These metaphors helped encourage the nation and open their eyes to the
strength that America possesses to overcome the devastation of the terrorist attacks.
Another pertinent rhetorical device implemented was personification. After the two
metaphorical sentences previously mentioned, Bush pronounced, America was targeted
for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.
And no one will keep that light from shining. Crucial in restoring faith in this country, Bush
reminds that America was founded on freedom, and still exhibits freedom. Insisting that
America is a beacon elicits pride in this country and inspires places around the world to do
the same. This does however explain why America is targeted because there are terrorists
out there who feel strongly against that. The fact that Bush says no one will keep that light

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from shinning indicates that this country and what it stands for can never be compromised
by terrorist communities; America and its freedom will always prevail. This type of
inspiration and insurgence of pride is exactly what was needed on that fateful day.
Additionally, a rhetorical aspect of this speech that is important to note is that this
was certainly Bushs moment of kairos. Given on the evening of 9/11, it was the perfect
time to reach out to the nation with words of condolence and hope. If he had given the
speech earlier that day, things would have still been hectic and ultimately the speech
wouldnt have had such a large impact. Not only was the timing perfect but it was given by
the perfect person for the job. Anyone that tried to deliver this speech besides the
president would not have packed the same punch. As the leader and face of this country, it
was absolutely necessary that Bush deliver the speech. People across the nation look to the
president to protect this country and provide for its people, and that is exactly what Bush
was doing. This was debatably one of Bushs best speeches, and certainly the one he is most
known for.
Undoubtedly, like all good speeches, this one exhibits a strong integration of logos. It
begins by greeting the audience and moves straight into the problem at hand. It addresses
the tragedy that had just struck the nation but is immediately juxtaposed with the
statement, But they have failed. Our country is strong. Bush was not in denial about what
had just happened and did not believe America was unaffected as these statements might
suggest. Instead his words acted as a glimmer of hope in a very dark tunnel of despair.
Following this Bush spoke about the strength of the nation and the procedures that were
already put in place to bring justice to the situation. Logically, the end provided a plea to
the audience for prayers and a last insurance of the ability of the country to overcome. If

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the speech was not outlined in the manner it was, Bushs statements positively would have
lost their potency.
Saturated throughout the entire speech, pathos took the drivers seat in steering
Bushs words to maximum potential. Almost everything proposed appealed to the
audiences emotions because 9/11 was an emotionally volatile day. Everything that was
communicated by Bush was to dull even the slightest bit of fear and devastation that was
eroding the morale of the nation. A particularly emotion driven statement is when Bush
recounted the day as, pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge
structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding
anger. He was empathizing with the entire nation and by utilizing the word us established
a sense of unity. It would have been nearly impossible to not include an element of pathos
in this address, but Bush indisputably took full advantage and incorporated it heavily.
One can only imagine the pressure placed on the president on a day such as 9/11.
All eyes were on George W. Bush to provide insight on the current national security, and
what would happen next. In an effort to answer those questions as well as to empathize
and eradicate any fear, he gave the Address to the Nation, and did just that. With the aid
of many rhetorical tools including pathos, logos, allusion, metaphor, and personification,
Bushs words penetrated the haze of chaos and provided a flicker of hope on the candle of
resolution. Analyzing these tools offers insight into the success of this address, and helps to
understand Bushs goals on that unforgettable evening. Given at the right time by the right
person, in a moment of kairos, this speech will be remembered for decades to come.

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Works Cited
"George W. Bush - Address to the Nation on 9-11-01 - The Rhetoric of 9/11." George W.
Bush - Address to the Nation on 9-11-01 - The Rhetoric of 9/11. Ed. Michael E.
Eidenmuller. American Rhetoric, n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.

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