1. What is the author arguing?
“Ich Bin Ein Berliner,” meaning “I am a Berliner.” In this speech JFK is arguing, the Germans have “earned the right to be free.” JFK argues to all those who “say they understand” come to Berlin, to those who say “communism is the wave of the future,” come to Berlin, and to those who say “we can work with the communists,” “Lass’ sie nach Berlin en kommen,” “let them come to Berlin.” JFK is arguing that Berlin has over come many obstacles. Families and friends that were once divided should be united. JFK points out the failure of communism, and that "democracy is not perfect. But we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us!"
2. How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
JFK finds it logical that “Real lasting peace in Europe can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied that elementary right of free men, and that is to make a free choice.” He is encouraging people to think logically about what freedom really means. He encourages them to “lift your eyes beyond the dangers of today to the hopes of tomorrow.” Implying the future can be bright for all, filled with better possibilities for all. Throughout JFK’s speech you can see his emotional encouragement of Berliner’s. He talks about how communism has been “separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters and dividing a people who wished to joined together!” This shows his sorrow for the people who lost their way of life because of the Berlin Wall. JFK’s character shows he is aware of the atrocities caused by the Berlin Wall, and that he gives “peace and good faith” to “this generation of Germans.” His character encourages people to want what should be there’s, freedom, and live as they had with family and friends united.
3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The historical significance of this speech is both serious and comical. The serious significance is this was one of JFK’s most famous speeches. JFK told the Germany and the World what a free nation stood for. That freedom meant every individual had the right to make their own choices in regards to their own lives. For JFK “equality and self-determination was the very essence of freedom.” For the comical side of the speech, it was almost known, as “I’m a jelly-donut,” in parts of Germany “berliner,” meant doughnut.
4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
JFK’s speech was convincing because every person should be free and able to make his or her own choices. I for one cannot imagine a government that makes all decisions for you. The people of Berlin watched to the wall divide their lives, separating parents, children, spouses, siblings, and friends. For almost two decades, people watched those who dared cross the wall be shot, for unjust reasons. JFK says, “Freedom is indivisible,” “when all are free, then we look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one.”
Great TA!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you were always on point with all of your answers and the level of detail you went into with the answers. I think that this speech can have multiple meanings to it. Like when I was reading this, I thought that the speech was talking more about what had happened to Berlin and how they had handled what had happened.
But when I read your answers, I thought of how different your answers were but how they could also be right as well.
Kennedy was a very good person and had gone through a lot of hardships during his presidency. These things made him a great talker by supporting the US and helping them get through the wars without being too afraid and giving them hope. I think that this speech gave them hope and helped them get through this period of time.
You integrated some very good quotes like "When all are free then we look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one." I believe JFK was aiming to bring Communist Germans to a more negotiable state by stating the counter argument with his claims. An example of that would be the quote I mentioned above. He agrees with the Communists that Democracy does have its flaws and it's not perfect. But the effects outweigh the defects. Through implications such as this one, JFK could bring oppressors into cooperation while still stating his opinion.
DeleteBouncing off of Harjaap's comment, its interesting to read feedback that has a completely different perspective. It shows how differently everyone's brains functions. Harjaap thought JFK was speaking about "what happened to Berlin and how [to handle it]." Priya, I think you believe that Germany should let all citizens in their country free. I believe JFK was speaking not only to set the German people free, but to actually persuade the German government that Democracy is the better system. Because if Germany became a Democratic government, the democratic party would gain huge support from Germany and also from American citizens who've been itching for peace and unity between countries.
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ReplyDeleteGreat Job!
ReplyDeleteKennedy's speech had several different meanings to it. I think the moral of that video was that he was showing Americans that they were doing better than other countries. Also he made the recognize the fact that Democracy may not be perfect but people didnt wanna leave the usa. People were running away from Berlin and he mentioned the wall. I agree with what you had too say i liked the fact that you brought up the quote 'Real lasting peace in Europe can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied that elementary right of free men, and that is to make a free choice.” because this was encouraging americans to think about the future.
You did an awesome job in your analysis. I enjoyed reading it and liked the quotes your used to get your point across. Very well done.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Kennedy’s speech is very significant because it kept the Germans hoping for freedom and the possibility of peace. I really thought the speech was presented in a way that it touched people but it told the truth and didn't candy coat things. I loved where he said "“Democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us.” This empowers him to be truthful and to reveal the truth about the Soviet Union, that their tactics of communism are inhumane and that West Berlin is where there is democracy and the people are free and good. He believed in this for West Berlin and says it best “When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one and this country and this great Continent of Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe. When that day finally comes, as it will, the people of West Berlin can take sober satisfaction in the fact that they were in the front lines for almost two decades.” I really wish that Kennedy could have seen the wall collapse and see the hope that he planted in his speech come true.
good job! i think kennedy was saying how much our country is different from the communist countries because we are not controlled by the goverment. This speech really reminded me of how North Korea is today and how king john il controls every thing that happens. even the computers are being monitored and they cannot even leave north korea. Its a terrible state that the country is going through
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great text analysis! You summarized it very well and pointed out important key points. I agree with how you said the reason why the speech was convincing was because everyone should be free and be able to make his or her own choices. In this speech you can tell the emotional side was when he was talking about communism and seperating families. I especially liked the last quote that you put about freedom. I definitley agree with it!
ReplyDeleteI think you wrote a good text analysis. You explained what JFK is arguing particularly well to the reader. I also think your response to number four was really good. It clearly explains that JFK wanted all the nations to be free, and that they all have a right to be. I also didn't even realize that there was a comical meaning to the speech too, I never knew that "berliner" meant doughnut.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job on the Analysis Priya! I enjoyed reading it. I do agree with you about how his speech gave them hope that one day they will have the freedom that they should deserve. Because everyone deserves to make their own decisions, choose the paths they want. It's true that democracy isn't perfect, and Berlin shouldn't put up a wall to keep people from leaving. The way JFK talks makes it seem a lot more emotional because he makes small pauses as he talks. And it kinda shows that Berlin should try an incorporate the ways we do it in the U.S. Because people didn't leave the U.S. because we gave people of the United States freedom to choose what they did. JFK made it undersandable for everyone. Or at least in my opinion he did. Even younger kids would be able to understand what he was talking about. And I think that's a great trait becuase the president should be able to reach out to everyone of all ages.
ReplyDeleteCindy you hit the nail right on the head! Unlike other presidential speeches that contain flowery content and lofty ideals, JFK's speech was so simple a caveman could understand it!
DeleteWe all want to be able to control our own destiny. It seems we come out of the womb trying to assert our needs and promote ourselves, as evidenced through our crying when we're hungry, wet or lonely. Unfortunately, it doesn't change as we get older, except to become more insistent and pronounced.
Without debating the efficacy of any political platform, we must be sure that human nature is kept in mind. If the restrictions of a political ideology require us to suppress our natural tendencies, it is much less likely to be widely embraced and warmly received.
Luckily, for the German people, in particular the Berliners, JFK was willing to explain it so that his five year old could comprehend it. That is the kind of legacy that can't be destroyed!
I like the way you analyzed and described who JFK was and what he argued very well. I agree on most of what you have said. Kennedy was a great speaker and I think that most people really respected him and listened to everything he said. His speech gave the Germans something to strive for, which was there freedom and peace. He said in his speech that “Democracy is not perfect but we have perfect, but we never had to put a wall up to keep our people in to prevent from leaving us.” I think that he was right Berlin shouldn’t have put up a wall to keep people from leaving. It wasn’t his choice, it should have been the people’s choices, whether they should stay or not. I really enjoyed this speech because it made me think again of how much freedom we have here in America that many people didn’t have before. Overall I think you covered all the important points in your analysis.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a good job because you pointed out the main ideas the author was trying to get across and provided quotes backing up your anysis.I think Kenndy was talking about how freedom is a hard thing to achieve pointing out that decomracy isn't perfect and how flawed communism was that people in a country had to be prevented from leaving since they wanted to. I think the author appeals to the logos because everyone could agree the imortance of freedom and by looking back through history can see the flaws, he appealed to the emotional factor by pointing out how not everyone has the freedom of our country and he appeal to his own character as a president taking a stance to an important topic freedom.I do agree with the author in the fact that fredom is important and not easy to achieve.
ReplyDelete"Ich bin ein Berliner" JFK says to show his solidarity with the people of Berlin. In that single sentence, he combined the divided city, and country, into one. He didn't permit them to suggest that political platforms should dictate the human and inalienable right to freedom. This was indeed the crux of JFK’s argument Priya. It actually became the hallmark of his political legacy. With Berlin and subsequently, Vietnam, he showed that he was willing to fight for freedom at any cost. His agenda promoted the right of the individual and the resulting benefit for nations that embraced freedom. He argued fort this equality and self-determination as the mandatory elements of freedom. The division was breaking up families as well as the country. As you pointed out so aptly, the wall had to come down to “lass sie nach Berline en kommen”-to let them come to Berlin.
ReplyDeleteI think you pointed out some great ideas and really captured the main points of the speech well. Kennedy was making a statement for the entire world. He took the cruelest example of the imprisonment of communism and used it to display as a teacher would put a dunce cap on the naughty student. He does state that "we take no satisfaction in it" meaning, even though it helps prove the higher moral stance of democracy he wishes it was not at the misfortune of others. It is a strong and powerful speech, and after you pointed out the jelly doughnut point I had to google this. Kennedy really does portray the largest difference between the free world and the communist world.. Berlin.
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