Topic: American traditions and visions- The American Dream ...



Topic: American traditions and visions- The American Dream then and nowText type: (political, historical) speechAmerican Dream, the origin:The Puritans (social and religious movement during the 16th and 17th century): they wanted to cleanse the church of England from the influence of Roman- Catholic Papacy, believed that America is the promised land( new Canaan); important aspects of their life were virtue, integrity, education, work, individual freedomPuritan valuesmorality, honesty, industry, temperance, prudence, integrity, economy, punctuality, courage, ↓goals one can achieveinfluence, honor, contentment, happiness, a good conscience, the favor of God, long life, reputation, self-respect, good will to man, success, riches New Canaan (referring to the Old testament, country in which Moses led his people when god told him to free them from Egyptian slavery): 17th century America will be the “New Canaan” (fleeing to America from religious persecution-> individual freedom), living in the promised land= being chosen by godFrontier: predominantly line of civilization moving westwards in America; also linked to manifest destiny, look for new frontiers in various fields (USA= country of the future)Turner thesis: The frontier is a movable borderline moving more and more towards the west. The frontier men had to built up a new life in the wilderness over and over again. The result is that the men lost their European characteristics and developed new ones, the origin of the American.Boston Tea Party (December 16th, 1773): Act of protest, people dumped 45tonns of tea in Boston harbor, protest against taxes and lack of representation in the Parliament ( no taxation without representation)The War of Independence ( April 1775 to September 1783): War between GB and the 13 colonies, colonies wanted to be free-> Peace treaty of ParisThe Declaration of Independence (July 4th 1776): Declared the 13 colonies free and independent (no political connection to GB) all men are equal, inalienable rights (life, happiness, liberty), good government, sovereignty of the USMetaphors to describe the US: Melting pot (1782 Hector St. James): Different cultures and religions “melt” together in order to combine their own identities and take on an American one;Salad bowl: Different cultures are combined and keep their own distinct qualities. (i.e. tomato does not merge with a carrot when it is thrown into a salad bowl.); American quilt: Different cultures sewed together to build a dependent community; American pizza: Different cultures mixed together to built a society, keep their qualities but are also dependent on the others.Manifest Destiny (1846): describes the idea that America is elected by god to free mankind and to lead the people into freedom, success and democracy, America is the “nation of the future” and an example for other nations; examples: World War I/II, War in Vietnam, War in Iraq and Intervention in Afghanistan etc.; Old Manifest Destiny (based on agricultural interests), New Manifest Destiny (based on industrial interests)O’ Sullivan: America has its origin from many other nations and is based on human equality. The country is destined to be the great nation, thinking that when they can’t reach something nobody can make it. Main facts: nation of progress, individual freedom, equality, freedom, chosen by god, democracyMulticulturalism (1970): ethic and minority groups asked for equal rights and opportunities assimilation, pluralismImmigration: wish of immigrants for freedom, better life and new and better opportunitiespush factors: bad living conditions, Irish potato famine, religious and political persecution, wars; pull factors: need for workers, gold rush, free land, transport improvements. Hispanic challenge(Huntington): Hispanic immigrants divide the United states into two peoples, two cultures(Anglo/Hispanic), and two languages(English/Spanish) and lead to an economic burden Anglo-Protestant +English= Just with these values it’s possible to form the American Dream (Huntington) (core culture)American Dream, today:- solidarity --> strong relationship in families- strong individualism (self-reliance and responsibility for one’s own fate)- strong patriotism- religious freedom - freedom of speech- positive way of life (individualism + everybody can achieve everything)- economic prosperity- America = super power/ world police/ global mediator- new frontiers in space to keep dream alive- the pursuit of happiness - People know that the American dream can turn into a nightmare Today the American Dream is more about the values e.g. freedom, family + opportunity and less about the material successANALYSING SPEECHES1.Facts Who speaks? To whom? When? Where - in what situation? (e.g. on TV/film/radio, at a small political meeting/big political rally, in a popularly elected forum, in a law court, as part of a ritual (a wedding, a funeral etc.)) What has led to the decision to speak?2. The text The structure of the speech (find headlines/ paragraphs)IntroductionAnalysis of the problem or conflictArgumentationClimaxConclusionThe main claims advanced (facts, values, policies) Give a short summary3. Intention to convince /motivate /persuade/entertain the audience to sell something (i.e. a political message) to express certain emotions to influence the audience to mobilize the people to take action4. Message sum up the message in a few words5. Language techniques of persuasion skill in/ at choosing his words? special expressions imperative/ persuasive/ urging verbal forms repetition of certain words or phrases use of contrasting terms political slogans use of loaded words use of personal pronouns (speaker tries to identify himself with audience) direct speech addressed to the audience6. Style (rhetorical- and stylistic devices) Emotional or matter-of-fact Use of irony or sarcasm Form of Persuasion:Ethos: convince the audience by expertise and knowledgePathos: appeal to the audience emotionsLogos: demonstration of logical proof, real or apparent procatalepsis (speaker raises an objection to his own argument and immediately answers it e.g. strengthen his argument by dealing with possible counter-arguments) apophasis (emphasis something by seeming to pass over, ignore or deny it)allusionanaphorahypophorafactsunderstatement (weaken or soften a statement e.g. sound more polite) hyperboleantithesis8. Evaluation Does the speaker succeed in catching the attention of the audience? Do you think that his argumentation is convincing? ................
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