How does Bill Safire depict mankind in his proposed speech?
Open Excerpt
timid and wary of loss
daring and invasive
adventurous and greedy
adventurous and determined
Would this be adventurous and determined?
Speech-
Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest
in peace.
4 These brave men, Neil Armstrong an Edwin Aldrin, I know that there is no hope for their recovery. But
they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.
6 These two men are laying down their lives in mankind’s most noble goal: the search for truth and
understanding.
8 They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by the nation; they will be
mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of
her sons into the unknown.
10 In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more
tightly the brotherhood of man.
12 In ancient days, men looked at the stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we
do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.
14 Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man’s search will not be denied. But these men were
the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.
16 For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some
corner of another world that is forever mankind.
Timid and wary of loss
In this proposed speech by Bill Safire, he depicts mankind as both adventurous and determined.
To come to this conclusion, we can analyze the language and tone used in the speech. Safire acknowledges that the men who went to the moon will not return, but emphasizes that their sacrifice serves a noble goal of furthering truth and understanding for mankind. He speaks of their exploration and how it brought people together as one, strengthening the brotherhood of man. Safire also mentions that others will follow and find their way home, but recognizes that these men were the first and will always hold a special place in our hearts.
These sentiments reflect an adventurous and determined spirit, as mankind is willing to take risks and make sacrifices to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of knowledge and understanding.
By analyzing the content and tone of the speech, we can determine that Safire's depiction of mankind is one that showcases both adventurousness and determination.