Purple+2

toc =1984 - English 32 Group #2= by Charlotte, Michael, and Tyler

=Our Group's Statement=

Manipulation of speech and the coined terms "doublethink" and "doublespeak" have always been present throughout the history of the world in the rhetoric of many politicians. However, the technological age has helped increase the proliferation of these speeches allowing for the public to be able to scrutinize politicians more than ever before.

=Rhetoric During the Ancient Times=

The culture of the ancient Roman era provided for a very open environment for the people to be in touch with the politicians. The motto of the Roman Republic was [|"Senatus Populusque Romanus"] meaning, the senate and the roman people. The forum provided a stage for orators to make persuasive speeches that were always well attended. From the arguable beginning of civilized society, it is evident that orators have infused their rhetoric with persuasive and "political" rhetoric. One [|speech from Marc Antony] and Caesar's funeral reveals his political ambitions even at the somber event: //" Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral….// //He was my friend, faithful and just to me:// //But Brutus says he was ambitious;// //And Brutus is an honorable man….// //He hath brought many captives home to Rome,// //Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:// //Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?// //When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man."//

Many members of the plebiscite had not trusted Caesar with all of the power that he had assumed. After Brutus killed Caesar for fear the he would become too much of a totalitarian, many Romans rejoiced after his death. Antony's acknowledgment of Brutus being an honorable man, while simultaneously not disgracing Caesar at his funeral, is a classic example of "double speak". This allowed for Marc Antony to become a member of the next governing [|triumvirate] with Octavian, Lepidus, and himself. Antony never renounces Brutus as a murderer, and also never condemns Caesar for being too autonomous. This allowed for him to assume his new political role with greater ease.

The continuation of the manipulation of rhetoric can be seen in another leader of the pre-modern world: Alexander the Great. As one of the greatest emperors of the ancient world, he was able to conquer a massive amount of land all over Europe and some of Asia, all in the early stages of his life. One of his speeches that exemplifies his ability to please his subjects can be seen when he gave a speech after the [|acquisition of new territory]:

//"I could not have blamed you for being the first to lose heart if I, your commander, had not shared in your exhausting marches and yo////ur p////erilous// //campaigns; it would have been natural enough if you had done all the work merely for others to reap the reward. But it is not so. You and I////, gentlemen, have shared the labour and shared the danger, and the rewards are for us all. The conquered territory belongs to you; from your ranks// //the governors of it// //are chosen; already the greater part of its treasure passes into your hands, and when all Asia is overrun, then indeed I will go further than the mere satisfaction of our ambitions"//



Alexander the Great, in some respects, uses the same tactic of appealing well to his audience, as Caesar had used in the past speech. He uses pronouns such as "you" and "us" to make the efforts and outcomes of the new battle a collective effort. Partially, that is true; however, Alexander, being the autocrat, will reap the most benefits from the land. Lastly, he mixes pronouns in his last declaration, making himself sound like a wonderful source of wealth for the rest of his men.

=Manipulation of Speech During World War II=

Hitler was a very persuasive public speaker. He captured his audiences attention in a way that made them want to believe what he was saying. When he spoke to an audience he spoke in a way that made it seem like he was talking to each person individually. Because Hitler was able to make a strong connection to his audience he was able to slip propaganda into his speeches and manipulate the thoughts and ideas of his listeners.



"//Never can Constitutions determine for all time the content of a purpose, especially when this content is not identical with the vital rights of a people//."

Above, Hitler is telling his audience in [|Munich] that over time the view of the people change, there for their rights will change too. This quote is a good example of the style in which Hitler spoke. Normally speeches are, for the most part, straight forward and to the point. Hitler had a more philosophical and deeper style, which can help cover information that he would not want to disclose. To an unanalytical audience, the speech would sound like only beneficial progress for the German republic. However, the totalitarian aspects are still clearly there.

=Modern Uses of Doublethink and Doublespeak=

Doublethink and doublespeak are present in much of today's propaganda used to both convince and dissuade the public on the same viewpoint. Doublethink allows a candidate to hold two different opinions of the same issue, while doublespeak allows the candidate to present both with ambiguous and unclear language, by convincing the public by seeming to communicate one point, when in fact it communicates the opposite.



On [|January 10, 2007] President Bush addressed the American public using what would be considered as modern doublespeak; Bush admitted that the Iraq war was not being fought effectively, but in his address to the nation, he appeared to take very little blame for the ineffectiveness of the war, claiming that:

//"The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people — and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me."//

While he admits that mistakes have been made, he does not acknowledge that these mistakes are his own. Bush appeals to those who have lost friends and family in the Iraq war and also to those who oppose the war and its reasons with subtle doublespeak. This type of rhetoric is doublespeak, because this passage would make Bush appear to be opposed to sending American troops to Iraq, when in fact he has disclosed publicly that he wishes to continue deploying American troops to Iraq.

"I//n these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us. These young Americans understand that our cause in Iraq is noble and necessary — and that the advance of freedom is the calling of our time. They serve far from their families, who make the quiet sacrifices of lonely holidays and empty chairs at the dinner table. They have watched their comrades give their lives to ensure our liberty. We mourn the loss of every fallen American, and we owe it to them to build a future worthy of their sacrifice."//

=Public Service Announcement=

media type="custom" key="75961"

=Script=

[Black screen with O Fortuna by Carl Orff.] [Fade in portrait of Julius Caesar] From those who don the laurel crown.... [Fade in of Alexander the Great] to those who conquer at a young age. [Fade in to a photo of Hitler] [Hitler speech is heard in German] What do they all have in common? [Fade in quick of four words:] Speech, Doublethink, Doubletalk, Word Manipulation But It's Not Just a Figment of the Past [Fade in of Clinton] [Clinton speech: with contradiction] And It Crosses Party Lines [Fade in Picture of Bush] [Bush speech: no recognition of mistakes in Iraq] There is more to speech than what the ear hears Spoken: It can have an influence on the masses. And influence all of them. Written: The media helps to proliferate speeches by politicians and other important and influential figures. [Words over Black Screen: Sincerity? Concern?] ["Think Again." on the screen ] ["We Wont Get Fooled Again" by The Who in the background] ["www.thinkagain.org"]

=Producers' Note=

Producers' Note

=Works Cited=

__Alexander the Great__. 28 May 2007 <[|http://www.crystalinks.com/alexandermen.jpg>.]

Arkenberg, J. S. "Arrian: Speech of Alexander the Great,." __Ancient History Sourcebook__. Aug. 2000. Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton. 24 May 2007 <[|http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/arrian-alexander1.htm>.]

CQ Transcriptions. "Transcript: Former Vice President Gore's Speech on Constitutional Issues." __Washingtonpost.Com__. 16 Jan. 2006. Congressional Quarterly Inc. 23 May 2007 <[|http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/16/AR2006011600779.html>.]

"Friends Romans Countrymen." __Presentation Helper__. 23 May 2007 <[|http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/friends-romans-countrymen.htm>.]

__George Bush__. __CBS News__. 24 May 2007 <[|http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2007/01/10/image2350061g.jpg>.]

__Hitler__. 28 May 2007 <[|http://phaster.com/road_trips/anti-suv_ad.html>.]

Hitler Historical Museum. "Hitler's Speeches." __Hitler Historical Museum__. 1996. 23 May 2007 <[|http://www.hitler.org/speeches/>.]

"Newspeak Dictionary." __Newspeak Dictionary__. 12 Jan. 2007. 22 May 2007 <[|http://www.newspeakdictionary.com/ns-dict.html>.]

"SPQR - NovaRoma". __NovaRoma__. 23 Jul 2006. 4 Jun 2007. 

"Triumvirate - History Dictionary". 4 Jun 2007. 

Van Piloty, Karl T. __Murder of Caesar__. __Cranston Fine Arts__. Cranston Fine Arts. 23 May 2007 <[|http://www.directart.co.uk/mall/more.php?ProdID=2653>.]