Comparison of Obama’s Two Inaugural Addresses.ppt

Comparison of Obama’s Two Inaugural Addresses by Chen Cuiqin Xie Yanan Wang Lilan Contexts Comparison of backgrounds Changes among the two speeches Comparison of themes Reflection Comparison of backgrounds Background of inaugural address in 2009 1. A crumbling economy 2. The nation was about to welcome its first black president, and there was an air of triumph and hope. 3. Nearly 2 million Americans gathered in Washington, D.C., to mark the inauguration. Background of inaugural address in 2013 1. Obamas first term brought great achievements – including a gigantic stimulus package that may have saved the economy from collapse and the most sweeping healthcare reform in 50 years 2. The economy continues to crawl. 3. Public remains highly polarized. 4. Congress is gridlocked over fiscal issues in a nightmare Groundhog Day scenario. 5. The 600,000 to 800,000 attendees organizers expect this year is still a steep drop-off. Changes among the two speeches The Two Most Powerful Allusions in Obama’s Speech Today The precise logical concision of contrasting “self-evident” with “self-executing” truths. But “blood drawn by the lash” is an impressive and confident touch. It was of course an allusion to a closing passage in what is generally considered history’s only great second inaugural address. Obama Was Always a Liberal, But Now He’s Defending Liberalism Obama has laid out his worldview in a variety of settings, even in big thematic speeches like this one. It would be hard to read, say, his June 2008 victory speech without a sneaking suspicion the guy is a liberal. The key difference is that Obama actively defended his worldview this time, which is not something we’ve see him do on these stages. Speech Gives Climate Goals Center Stage President Obama made addressing climate change the most prominent policy vow of his second Inaugu