Text Analysis # "Ich bin ein Berliner"
Who Wrote: John F. Kennedy, President of United States from 1961-1963. The speech was delivered in 1963.
Audience: The speech was delivered to a huge street audience in Berlin. The thousands present were the obvious focus but the text of the speech and the drama inherent with giving a street speech in Berlin in 1963 means that the text had an intended audience far wider than those actually present. My read is that the intended audience were Berliners/Germans/Soviets/Europeans/Americans.
Represent: Essentially Kennedy is distinguishing the important differences between the communist nations and the West. He does this with his inspiring words, use of the "Ich bin..." hook and by stressing the importance of personal liberty and freedom.
What is being said: To Germans history is very important. He starts his speech by stating that an ancient Romans prideful boast that they were Roman citizens had been supplanted by the free persons boast that we are all Berliners. He make some really effective points in the speech. The construction of the Berlin wall to keep east Berliners from fleeing to the West {this was a street speech, how close were they to the wall, could they hear him on the other side?}. Kennedy also acknowledges the sacrifice of Berliners who have been "besieged for 18 years." He goes on to optimistically note that their sacrifice will be someday rewarded as he knows that one day all will be free {sad to think he did not live to see the wall demolished in 1992 he would have been only in his late 70's}.
What Proof: The speech is all about inspiration and taking the moral high ground. The tag "Eich bin ein Berliner" is widely known and often repeated. The inspirational rhetoric was very effective. No proof is present as this is not meant as a policy speech.
How is being said: I actually watched the speech on You Tube as I had wondered how the German speaking audience followed along. I learned by viewing the poor film quality video that he did have a German translators who he acknowledged early on in the speech. This was Kennedy's kind of speech: Soaring rhetoric, emotional concepts and themes of freedom and optimism. I don't think their is a modern president who has so many speeches that are still studied and listened to.
