Washington Birthday Close Read Essay PDF

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Washington Birthday Close Read Essay...

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In Jane Addams’ 1903 speech, she commemorates George Washington’s birthday and legacy in an attempt to fulfill the definition of what it takes to be a “man.” In meeting this definition, Addams analyzes Washington’s role as a soldier, statesman, and citizen. Through her use of organization, parallel phrasing, and appeal to pathos, she is able to emphasize Washington’s significance and to advocate for change. In recognizing George Washington’s legacy as the first president of the United States, Addams uses Washington as an example of a “great man” and analyzes his life as a soldier, statesman, and citizen to attain the elements to fulfill her definition. Addams states “If we go back to George Washington, and ask what he would be doing were he bearing out burdens now, and facing our problems at this moment, we would… have to study his life…; his life as a soldier, as a statesman, and as a simple Virginia planter.” (l. 20-25). Jane Addams refers to George Washington’s accomplishments in his past, as well as how things would be if he were present today. “First, as a soldier. What is it that we admire about the soldier? It is not that he goes into battle; what we admire about the soldier is that he has the power of losing his own life for the life of a larger cause” (l.26-30). In these lines, Jane Addams asks the audience why one might admire George Washington as a soldier. Noting the qualities he has as a man of war defines his actions as the foundation of a true American. “Let us take… George Washington as a statesman. What was it he did, during those days when they were framing a constitution,... trying to adjust the rights and privileges of every class in the community? What was it that sustained him during all those days…? It was the belief that they were founding a nation on the axiom that all men are created free and equal.” (l.62-71). By Addams asking these questions, she reminds her audience of what he believed and accomplished as a leader of the United States and that everyone should be driven by the notion that everyone should be equal. Lastly, Addams talks about Washington as a citizen. “What did he do when he retired from office, because he was afraid of holding office any longer might bring a wrong to himself and harm to his beloved nation? We say that he went back to his plantation on the Potomac.” (l.87-92). By addressing that Washington stepped down from his position and was afraid of harming his nation, Addams tells her audience that Washington wanted the best for his nation. Addams’ analysis of the different stages in Washington’s life emphasizes his importance and how our country should continue to carry out Washington’s attitude in the present day. To furthermore emphasize her message, Addams uses parallel phrasing to engage with her audience. Parallel phrasing is using the same word pattern to indicate its importance. This rhetorical strategy is present when the phrases “we will” and “let us” are spoken throughout the essay. Addams associates the phrases with importance within the audience and creates energy. In the second paragraph, each sentence starts with the phrase “we will have to” and the middle states “as well as.” Structuring almost every sentence similarly like this delivers a sense of importance and urgency. Addams’ use of parallel phrasing allows her to engage with her audience to furthermore highlight her purpose. To appeal to her audience, Addams utilizes pathos to shame her audience into seeking better choices. She recites the dilemmas that need to be fixed, such as materialism and equality, and expresses how George Washington would be embarrassed. To build guilt, Addams uses rhetorical questions to communicate that Washington would not tolerate the actions the people had taken. By asking questions such as “What would George Washington say if he found that

among us there were causes constantly operating against that equality?” (l.71-73), Addams gives her audience the incentive to do what is right. By her use of pathos to appeal to the emotions of the audience, Addams is able to create a sense of change within their attitude. In Jane Addams’ speech, she commemorates George Washington’s birthday and honors his legacy to fulfill the definition of a “man.” To emphasize Washington’s significance, she analyzes Washington as a soldier, statesman, and citizen and uses rhetorical strategies while doing so. Through her use of organization, parallel phrasing, and appeal to pathos, she is able to emphasize Washington’s significance, highlight her purpose, and to motivate people to improve themselves and carry out Washington’s attitude in the present day....