Analysis of Vietnam Renunciation Speech – Lyndon Baines Johnson Essay Example

speech. In the next sentence he points out that peace will come "because the people of Southeast Asia want it." Peace was not only a selfish American wish, but rather a common goal for all humans.

In this paragraph repetition is used for the first time. Lyndon Johnson refers to peace and states that the Asian are "willing to work...sacrifice.

..and die by the thousands for it" - the word it referring to peace. The paragraph ends with Lyndon Johnson pointing out that "peace will only come because America sent her sons to help ensure it".

This links itself to the next paragraph, where Lyndon Johnson attaches himself personally to the struggle. "I know the pain that it has inflicted". Here he speaks directly to the nation and everyone affected by the war, and - as the great leader he is - includes himself in that group. The paragraph is rounded off by reaching out to the people and letting them know that the war is basically for their own safety and gain.The third paragraph is a very brief reference to America's allies and all other nations, where Lyndon Johnson assures them that America will stick to her promises and responsibilities.

Directly connected to previous paragraph, the forth paragraph start with "but the heart of our involvement...has always been for America's security". Lyndon Johnson then says about the Asians that "peace with them selves and peace with others" is the true purpose of the American involvement - at the same time slipping in well-chosen words like "independent" and "self-sustained".

"I believe..." starts off the next paragraph and is a vital statement in the rest of the speech. As the

speech approaches a conclusion Lyndon Johnson opens up to the Americans with his personal goals and wishes. "I.

.." is in this passage used eleven times to start a sentence - five times followed by "..

.believe". Lyndon Johnson projects confidence in his belief in "the peace..

.that will come" through the endeavour of the many brave American soldiers.In the sixth paragraph an openhearted American leader prays in two sentences for acceptance from North Vietnam. Lastly he asks for support from his fellow citizens in the "effort to reach..

.an early peace".In the seventh paragraph Lyndon Johnson rounds off by stating the basic principle of any struggle. "Of those to whom much is given, much is asked". This is another strong statement pointing out that without sacrifice - more specifically American sacrifice - there is no gain.

He again uses "I believe" and quotes another great and highly-loved American president John F. Kennedy, who was also willing to "pay the price...burden..

.hardship...to assure the survival and success of liberty" - the liberty on which the American society is built on.

The eighth paragraph comprises of the first of two short sentences to heighten the importance of the American devotion to their common cause.Finally Lyndon Johnson links the preceding paragraph with the ninth and tenth - again using "I believe" - and makes it clear to his audience that the nation's strength "lies in the unity of our people". The speech is launched into a climax with the second short but undoubtedly powerful statement "this I believe very deeply". This sentence leads us back to Lyndon Johnson's opening statement about a free Asia and united America. Though this sentence does not conclude

the entire speech it concludes a strong motivational passage from a great political and national leader.Conclusion:Compared to "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr, the Vietnam Renunciation Speech was clearly more politically motivated.

In "I Have a Dream" a more emotionally-motivated poetic writing style was used. In the Vietnam Renunciation Speech - which used a slightly colder and informative writing style - emphasis was put on the political support required from the nation. The two speeches resemble each other on some points. The aim in both is to reunite a nation - a nation, which is willing to fight for the success and survival of liberty.

The speeches were directed to different target audiences, but they both used personal references to reach out to the audience. In "I Have a Dream" Martin Luther King mentioned the affect the black-white dispute had on his own family and children. In a similar way Lyndon Johnson mentioned the troubles he had to endure as the president in a nation scared by war.Another similarity one notices between the speeches is the way they both quoted other great public figures. Martin Luther King Jr.

referred in his speech to Abraham Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address. This was a knowledgeable choice from Martin Luther King Jr., who was familiar with Abraham Lincoln and the importance his actions had for the rights of all African-Americans. Lyndon Johnson chose likewise to quote John F. Kennedy - in the same way making a knowledgeable choice in quoting a man, who was devoted to the survival and success of the American liberty.

Lyndon B. Johnson wrote a great speech in a dire period of

American history. He was as the president under enormous pressure from the nation's enemies and also the American citizens. In the speech Lyndon Johnson stressed the importance of unity among the Americans and the need for their support for the war. The speech was written in such a way that the audience could undoubtedly feel the presence of their leader - at the same time putting a lot of personality and feeling into the speech.

Personally I felt the speech was very well-written and achieved the goal it was meant for. Even now about 38 years later I felt myself be affected by it.