Rhetorical Analysis of Wintons Churchill’s “Their Finest Hour”

Alexander Neal

English 223

Professor Bechtel

 

Rhetorical Analysis of Wintons Churchill’s “Their Finest Hour”

 

The most effective speeches throughout history have all incorporated paralleling methods that have made them so successful. Techniques such as applying ethos, logos, pathos, keeping you speech simple, using anecdotes and appealing audiences are just some of the pivotal characteristics that make up a great dialogue. The speech I have chosen to analyze is Winston Churchill’s “Their Finest Hour.” This speech was given at a time when Europe was experiencing the atrocities of the second world war. The historical value in this speech is unfathomable, less than a month after the rise spirits, England engaged the Nazi’s head on which is now known as the battle of Britain . However, Britain continued to encounter intense bombings from the Nazi’s from their Blitzkrieg strategy. Churchill concentrated on what he needed from his people, such as patriotism and determination. These ideas, along with others, are examples of a repetitive element, which are seen throughout this speech and is common in effective  rhetoric. He justified his requests by explaining that the history of their people, and the world was in jeopardy. By appealing in a reason based manner, he transcended the scenario to inspire action and determination . The Kairo’s that is provided throughout this speech was definitely assisted by two key factors; Churchill announced that the allies would be joining them, and explained the possibility of their extermination. The emotion in the delivery of the speech showed that he truly believed and wanted his people to believe that they could overcome the terrifying odds they had of winning this war. Churchill’s audience was definitely categorized as being in a state of fear, but by disseminating his words of courage, he provided his people with the emotional relief that aided with the defeat Hitler.

For the most part, the basic message that he was trying to convey was that Hitler’s attempt at world domination was growing closer and closer every day. The nazi’s were winning almost every battle in Europe and the british army needed to fully administer their entire country’s concentration on defeating them. He began by discussing the status of British and France. He stated some of the battles that had occurred, and included their locations. He discussed the statistics of relative information as well to keep his people informed. He then moved on to discuss how the naval sector was going to be a pivotal sector in the tough roads ahead. He emphasized that the situation had grown farther and farther in the Nazi’s favor. They had expanded through most of the middle and western parts of Europe. This meant that the Nazi’s had reached the coast line and were now in danger of being invaded. This situation is almost impossible to express without diminishing morale. However, Churchill’s rhetorical dissemination inspired his people. He did so by his conviction in that there was no losing this war, or surrendering, even if they wanted to. This was because losing this war didn’t mean that the battles would be over, it meant that society and the world would be over. This ties back ties back to the kairos previously stated in the essay. The emotional expressiveness was a major contributor to the successfulness of their finest hour.

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Statements such as these are what what awoken the spirits of Britain’s damaged charisma. However, on June 18, 1940 Churchill’s audience went beyond just the citizens of England. Churchill’s message spread like wildfire, inquiring all of those fighting against the Nazi’s to understand the state that England was in and to fight alongside each other, nation by nation. “But if we fail, then the whole world, including the united states, including all that we have known and care for, will sink into the abyss of a new dark age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science.” Churchill blatantly targets the United States along with the rest of the world to fight against the tyrannous Nazi party. The audience was the world, and Churchill made that clear in his speech. The various global audiences that Churchill had to appeal to was a very important aspect of this speech. The nation’s that he was targeting in his speech were the United States, Russia, France and basically all of the European countries that were annexed by the Nazi army. The intention of Churchill’s address was to unite all of the nations being threatened by Hitler, which is how the creation of the allies formed in World War 2.

Churchill has been regarded for the level of emotion he delivers in his speech. This admirable attribute was very relevant and seen throughout this speech. However, this speech was unique in that showing too much emotion may cause the listeners to feel over emotional as well which wouldn’t be a good scenario. The situation was very sensitive and he knew that over emphasizing or embellishing his tone of voice might have a fearful response from his audience. Churchill counteracted this by maintaining a level of formality throughout this speech. He spoke with urgency, and conviction, but did not show fear or any signs or resignation. The threat of invasion loomed on all of england’s shoulders but Churchill continued to brighten spirits through truth, and determination.

Something that is not commonly known about this speech was that Churchill had just recently been elected to audience. Only 6 weeks into his term, the prime minister might had been faced with one of the toughest tasks possible, defending his nation from being invaded. However, he did not let the fact that he was new to the position get in his way. He set out to convocate the countrymen of britain during the 36 minutes of dialogue along with rallying the global alliance of World War 2. The final statement said in the speech “Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour’ ” is possibly one of the most impactful rhetoric ever disseminated. The reason for its significance is not only recognized by the word for word content, but the results it produced. His oratory propelled throughout europe and across the atlantic, inspiring all enemies of the the axis power to rise up and fight back. The address formed the alliance of Russian and United States military powers, along with creating the resolve British people needed to fight back knowing that right across the water from them France had just fallen.

Logos, which means word in greek entails focusing on the message and setting a tone of logical appeal. This is seen throughout Churchill’s speech, specifically applying sound reason and maintaining a logical outlook. The reality of England’s situation during that moment in time was very bad and Churchill was honest about the situation. “The disastrous military events which have happened during the past fortnight have not come to me with any sense of surprise. Indeed, I indicated a fortnight ago as clearly as I could to the House that the worst possibilities were open;” Here, Churchill is stating that their situation looks grim, and the reaction to that line may have not boosted morale at all. However, Churchill then states directly after that quote “and I made it perfectly clear then that whatever happened in France would make no difference to the resolve of Britain and the British Empire to fight on, ‘if necessary for years, if necessary alone.” This quote applies logic by honestly explaining the harsh reality of britain’s situation, however he counters this negative statement by expressing that his resolve, and inner fight, will never stop.

Ultimately, the specific rhetorical strategies that are seen throughout Churchill’s “Their Finest Hour” speech is what made his message so powerful. By truthfully explaining their situation regardless of how bad it was he was appealing to reason which is the rhetorical strategy referred to as logos. When conveying that he was willing to fight to the death, he showed his strength and resolve as a leader, which is how he applied the rhetorical tool of Ethos.  Finally, Pathos is used through his understanding of his audience, knowing that they were in a state of fear, but appealing to their values of not being conquered by the nazi’s.