Audience: The Chinese people, other major international powers.
Context: Concluding speech at the Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Given by Mao Tse-tung near the end of WWII (June 11, 1945).
Section I: The Party
Purpose: To inform the Chinese people of the CPC's plans and establish a bond between the people and the party. This section shows that Mao and the Party understand the people and want to help them and their country. Mao presents a plan for the country and tells people how they can help.
Appeals: Appeals mostly to ethos, especially the first paragraph. Includes a list of the successes of the communist party to demonstrate the effectiveness of the party. Also includes appeals to pathos in the form of diction and themes that create a feeling of unity. Very little logos; mostly establishes ethos.
Technique: repetition of "we" and "our" (epizeuxis) => unity; we're all in this together. buzzwords/phrases such as "successful congress" "congress of victory" "congress of unity" => CPC is the best choice. "will defeat" "will surmount every difficulty to win victory" "we, too, will touch god's heart" => certainty; strength of decision; determination.
- old fable of The Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains (allegory) => old, well known fable of Chinese tradition => common bond between CPC and Chinese people (sense of "we all come from the same background; we are one of you").
- Foolish Old Man actually visionary and strong (CPC)
- Wise Old Man desperately clinging to the past (Reactionaries)
- Mountains represent imperialism and feudalism
- God is the Chinese people (major suck up points)
Fable shows the role the PCP sees for itself in China, while stressing the fact that it cannot get there without the help and support of the Chinese people.
Effectiveness: Very effective. Draws support from audience and successfully establishes unity, while connecting this feeling to the CPC.
Section II: The World
Purpose: to demonstrate to the world that the PCP will not allow China to be walked all over. The paragraph challenges America, which shows that China is serious about gaining power.
Appeals: Generally appeals to pathos, but includes some logos as well (quotes from Patrick J Hurley).
Techniques: diction
- "we forbid you" " we will not permit you to nose around everywhere" communicates strength of will and power
Section III: The Fate of China Hangs in the Balance
Purpose: to inform the audience of the evil intentions of the rival party. To persuade citizens to vote for the CPC.
Appeals: strong appeal to pathos.
Techniques: "the aim of one is to liquidate the Communist Party and all the other democratic forces in China and thus to plunge China into darkness" (hyperbole) => portray rivals as evil; links Communist Party to everything good about China (by destroying CPC, China will be plunged into darkness) "reactionary" "scheming" => opposition is just reacting; is not proactive, just reacting without considering actions; scheming sounds dark and menacing "the Kuomintang's counter-revolutionary line will inevitably fail" (last line) => leaves audience with the thought that Kuomintang's approach will not succeed either or tactics (Either vote for us or China will fall)
Effectiveness: Very Effective. It is a strong end to the speech, with a definite guarantee of glory in the wake of triumph for the CPC, and ruin as an effect of victory by the opposition.
Overall Effectiveness: Very Effective. Mao carefully chooses his words in order to communicate his message, whether that be strength, unity, or the dangers of the opposition. He plays on people's paranoia in order to turn them off of the opposition while preserving their loyalty to the CPC. He communicates strength throughout the entire speech, especially when directly addressing the US. The audience can also connect to him very well, most notably through his inclusion of a fable which is well known among Chinese people.
No comments:
Post a Comment