Elie Wiesel Speech Analysis

In his address to Ronald Reagan, Elie Wiesel attempts to convince the president not to visit the Bitburg cemetery. Weisel is well aware of President Reagan’s situation, and thus, he crafts his speech around rhetorical techniques, namely Concession Refutation, Repetition, and the Appeals.
Throughout the speech, Elie Wiesel makes clear his appreciation for Israel, America, and President Reagan: “We are grateful to this country, the greatest democracy in the world, the freest nation in the world, the moral Nation, the authority in the world.” Firstly, Wiesel wishes to appease the American public: He establishes that he is grateful for America’s humanity and compassion and uses an apposition to underscore America’s greatness. In other words, Wiesel
He conveys a powerful message using pathos: “There was… suffering and loneliness in the concentration camps that defies imagination. Cut off from the world with no refuge anywhere, sons watched helplessly their fathers being beaten to death. Mothers watched their children die of hunger… Terror, fear, isolation, torture, gas chambers, flames, flames rising to the heavens.” The diction chosen creates a solemn and helpless tone, like a narrator who sees all but can do nothing. It evokes vivid imagery, a tragic scene of death and despair. The juxtaposition of children, this idea of youth and innocence, and death evokes pity from the audience. Collectively, this causes Reagan to feel guilty for not acting, and he would feel even more guilt if he forced the Jewish people to relive their suffering by going to the Bitburg cemetery. Wiesel then appeals to Reagan’s ethos. They both share a common goal – to attain reconciliation, and to do so, they “must work together with them and with all people” to “bring peace and understanding to a tormented world that… is still awaiting redemption.”
Wiesel’s use of rhetoric leaves a lasting impact on Reagan. He plays on Reagan’s emotions, creates weight and emphasis with repetition, and most importantly, depicts Reagan as the hero who has the choice to save the Jewish people or do nothing. He leaves Reagan with a feeling of obligation to help the Jewish people, his people. Being the