What is it about?
The paper studies how US presidents use storytelling techniques in their war speeches pronounced in time of war. It deals with the story that lies beneath their narrative and also with their use of personal human stories to transmit a specific idea or value to the audience. The scope goes from Vietnam war to the War on Terror and the presidents studied are Johnson, Nixon, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
The findings show that when trying to justify the need to go to war, the presidents tell a story to the audience that aims to reinforce the political myth of America’s duty to preserve freedom. This argument helps make the burden of the war understandable and bearable for the people and it reaffirms American collective identity. It is also interesting to realise that when talking about war, the differences between Obama and Bush are blurred and the topics are, as in all presidents, the same.
Perspectives
I think this article may contribute to the study of American presidential rhetoric, seen it from a European perspective. I also talk about the 'skutinks', a Washington press corps word coined to refer to presidential guests invited at the balcony during the SOTU speeches.
Pere Franch
Fundacio Blanquerna Universitat Ramon Llull
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Praising the fallen heroes: Storytelling in US war presidential rhetoric, from Johnson to Obama, Language and Literature International Journal of Stylistics, November 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0963947018805651.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
