Comparing Barack Obama And Nelson Mandela's Inaugural Address

Comparison of Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Address Great inaugural speeches can be inspiring, revolutionary, and even unforgettable. Two great examples of inaugural addresses are Barack Obama’s inaugural speech in 2009 and Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech in 1994. They are both the first black people to be elected as a president in their country, grabbing the great attention of their audiences. Both Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela use the inaugural address to persuade their citizens that their country is changing for the better. Although two different speeches were given by two different presidents, they share a similar perceptible language of symbolism and imagery to establish their credibility in citizens and give a new era
Early in his address, Mandela proposes, “To my compatriots, I have no hesitation in saying that each one of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa tress of the bushveld.”(¶ 05) By referring to the earth, Mandela reminds South Africans that all people are created equal and deserve happiness and prosperity. His word ‘equality’ is very effective because before his presidential term, Mandela was arrested for his anti-apartheid activity. As a direct result, he ended up spending twenty-seven years in prison. Furthermore, Nelson Mandela frequently uses images to remind South Africans of the unity and the need for peace. “Our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must …reinforce humanity’s belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.” (¶ 03) Mandela uses imagery to support his idea and to reveal the importance of each South African’s daily action and by showing what South Africa could become. Unity and peace are further highlighted in Mandela’s quote, “We succeeded to take our last steps to freedom in conditions of relative peace. We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete, just and lasting peace.”(¶ 18) In this quote, Mandela gives a dream for an enduring hope and a long lasting
Both inaugural addresses utilize persuasive lexical choices such as content words, pronouns, modal auxiliaries and tense in order to promote their ideology. Both are a characterizing feature of their rhetoric. Obama points out the current economic issues and refers to founding fathers for equally. Obama gets people’s attention using sacred rhetoric and make his people feel accountable. Mandela uses words of encouragement to the people such as let there be peace for all, work, bread, water, and salt to make people feel important, influential in the struggle, attempts to change the status quo, leaders and works. Both inaugural speeches by Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela were given at the times when confidence and the objective were hopeless. Obviously, both leaders gave inspiring speeches that touched citizens and made them continue to support their