Read the following excerpt from John F. Kennedy's "Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort" Then, respond to the question that follows.
If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred. The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space.
Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolutions, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it—we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.
Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first. In short, our leadership in science and in industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort, to solve these mysteries, to solve them for the good of all men, and to become the world's leading space-faring nation.
We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. For space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war. I do not say the we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea, but I do say that space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours.
There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation may never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too …
… To be sure, we are behind, and will be behind for some time in manned flight. But we do not intend to stay behind, and in this decade, we shall make up and move ahead.
The growth of our science and education will be enriched by new knowledge of our universe and environment, by new techniques of learning and mapping and observation, by new tools and computers for industry, medicine, the home as well as the school. Technical institutions, such as Rice, will reap the harvest of these gains.
And finally, the space effort itself, while still in its infancy, has already created a great number of new companies, and tens of thousands of new jobs. Space and related industries are generating new demands in investment and skilled personnel, and this city and this State, and this region, will share greatly in this growth. What was once the furthest outpost on the old frontier of the West will be the furthest outpost on the new frontier of science and space. Houston, your City of Houston, with its Manned Spacecraft Center, will become the heart of a large scientific and engineering community …
John F. Kennedy's "Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort?" contains numerous examples of figurative language. Examine the speech, paying close attention to the figurative language devices used.
In a well-written paragraph of 5–7 sentences:
explain the overall purpose of Kennedy’s speech
select two of the bolded figurative language devices from Kennedy's speech and identify the type of device used for each
explain how the use of the figurative language you have selected helped develop the overall message and purpose of the speech
The overall purpose of Kennedy's speech was to encourage the nation to pursue space exploration and to become the world's leading space-faring nation. Kennedy used numerous figurative language devices to help develop this message. For example, he used a metaphor when he said, "space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours." This metaphor compares space exploration to the mistakes of the past, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the same mistakes in space exploration. Kennedy also used a simile when he said, "we do not intend to stay behind, and in this decade, we shall make up and move ahead." This simile compares the nation's space exploration efforts to a race, emphasizing the importance of not falling behind in the race for space. The use of these figurative language devices helped Kennedy to emphasize the importance of space exploration and the need for the nation to become the world's leading space-faring nation.
The overall purpose of Kennedy's speech is to emphasize the importance of the United States taking a leadership role in space exploration. He wants to motivate and rally the American people to support the nation's space effort and to inspire them to embrace the challenges that come with it.
One figurative language device used in the speech is an analogy. Kennedy compares the exploration of space to previous waves of progress and invention, such as the industrial revolutions and nuclear power. By using this analogy, he highlights the significance of space exploration as the next frontier of human achievement, and implies that it is essential for the United States to be at the forefront of this new era.
Another figurative language device found in the speech is hyperbole. Kennedy states that space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war. This exaggeration emphasizes the importance of peaceful cooperation and the potential benefits that can be derived from space exploration. It serves to underscore the message that the United States should strive for peace and use its leadership in space to promote knowledge and understanding among nations.
The use of these figurative language devices helps develop the overall message and purpose of the speech by making the case for why space exploration is necessary and why the United States must lead in this endeavor. The analogy highlights the historical precedence of breakthroughs and progress, implying that space exploration is the natural next step in human advancement. The hyperbole underscores the need for peaceful and responsible exploration, appealing to the desire for a better future and the avoidance of conflicts. Overall, these devices add rhetorical flair and persuasive force to Kennedy's argument.
The overall purpose of Kennedy's speech is to emphasize the importance and urgency of the United States' involvement in the exploration of space. He conveys that the nation should strive to be a leader in this endeavor in order to ensure national security, promote peace and cooperation, and advance scientific and technological progress.
One example of figurative language used in the speech is the phrase "to be a part of it—we mean to lead it." This is an example of a metaphor, as Kennedy is comparing the nation's role in space exploration to being a part of a team or group. By using this metaphor, he highlights the United States' determination to actively participate and take a leading position in the space race.
Another example of figurative language used in the speech is the phrase "space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war." This is an example of a metaphor, as Kennedy is comparing the potential for conflict in space exploration to the destructive nature of war. By using this metaphor, he emphasizes the need for peaceful and cooperative efforts in the exploration of space, suggesting that the conquest of space should be used for the betterment of humanity rather than as a battleground.
The use of these figurative language devices helps develop the overall message and purpose of the speech by evoking strong imagery and emotional appeal. By using metaphors, Kennedy is able to simplify complex concepts and make them more accessible to the audience. The metaphor of being a part of and leading the exploration of space conveys a sense of unity, determination, and ambition. The metaphor of not feeding the fires of war emphasizes the need for peaceful intentions and cooperation in order to ensure the positive outcomes of space exploration. These figurative language devices effectively support the call to action and inspire the audience to support the nation's efforts in becoming a space-faring nation.