Rhetorical Analysis Of I Express My Shame

Rhetorical Analysis of “I Express My Shame” by: Gerhard Schroder Gerhard Schroder, the German chancellor gave a moving speech upon 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. This speech known as “I Express My
Shame” was addressed to the Holocaust survivors and the International Auschwitz Committee.
It had the purpose of serving as an expression of regret from current day Germany for the treatment of the Jewish during the Holocaust, as well as that these events should never be forgotten. Schroder’s extensive use of tone and imagery coincide with appeals of Pathos and
Ethos and result in a very influential speech. His speech in apology on behalf of Germany is effective because of his intricate use of certain syntax, rhetorical devices and appeals.
“Although this speech could not soothe the sufferings of the survivors and their grief for relatives and friends who died in concentration camps, it demonstrated the remorse and sorrow of German nation. It also displayed that Germany bears responsibility and will do its best to prevent all expressions of fascism.” (Guru). This source agrees that Schroder’s speech was effective in expressing regret which was a part of my purpose that was proved with the help of rhetorical strategies. Throughout his speech “I Express My Shame” Gerhard Schroder uses specific word choices and rhetorical strategies to create a remarkable speech. His rhetorical choices of tone and imagery evoke responses from the audience because of their correlation to the rhetorical appeals of Ethos and Pathos. His speech is still known as one of the most influential to this day because his ultimate purpose was to express his sorrow on the events of the Holocaust and to explain why it should never be forgotten. Overall Schroder’s speech was so effective because he was successfully able to dictate his syntax while incorporating powerful rhetorical devices and