Compare and contrast the rhetorical strategies used in JFK's Inaugural Address and the selected passage from The Art of War. How do these strategies shape the overall meaning and tone of each text? Additionally, consider how the authors' use of rhetoric reflects their purpose and intended audience.

Question

1. Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.

2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more.

5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.

6. Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will be complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem.

8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

9. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.

10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force.

11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.

12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army:--

13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.

14. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier's minds.

15. (3) By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away.

17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

18. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

Answer 1

JFK's Inaugural Address and the selected passages from The Art of War by Sun Tzu both employ distinct rhetorical strategies that shape the meaning and tone of each text. While JFK uses emotional appeals and inclusive language aimed at a broad audience, Sun Tzu employs logical reasoning and strategic analysis suited for military leaders.

Rhetorical Strategies

1. JFK's Inaugural Address:

   • Emotional Appeals: JFK uses pathos to connect with his audience, appealing to their sense of patriotism and urgency. Phrases like "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" encourage civic responsibility and collective action.
   • Inclusive Language: JFK frequently uses "we" and "us," fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among Americans and even extending to a global audience. This inclusivity builds a tone of hope and collective responsibility.
   • Parallelism and Repetition: The use of parallel structures amplifies key ideas and makes the speech memorable. For instance, the repeated call to action resonates with the audience and reinforces the message of cooperation and steadfastness against challenges.
   • Visionary Language: JFK’s rhetoric is aspirational, positioning the United States as a leader in global peace and progress, which seeks to inspire and rally his audience towards lofty ideals.

2. Sun Tzu's The Art of War:

   • Logical Reasoning and Analysis: Sun Tzu employs a didactic tone, using analytical language to discuss strategies for victory and the importance of intelligence and preparation in warfare. His emphasis is on understanding both oneself and the enemy to achieve a successful outcome.
   • Maxims and Aphorisms: The use of concise statements (e.g., "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles") serves as memorable guidelines that distill complex military concepts into actionable wisdom.
   • Abstract and Strategic Language: The text focuses on strategic principles rather than emotional appeals or calls to action, instilling a sense of detached pragmatism. This is evident as Sun Tzu discusses the importance of avoiding unnecessary conflict.
   • Hierarchy and Authority: Sun Tzu addresses military leaders directly, emphasizing the need for a well-structured command and disciplined forces. His use of authority is aimed specifically at military strategists and rulers.

Overall Meaning and Tone

• JFK's Address: The tone is hopeful, motivating, and inclusive, aiming to unify and inspire citizens to engage in a common cause. The overall meaning revolves around the ideals of service, peace, and the necessity of collective action for both national and global well-being.
• Sun Tzu's Text: The tone is pragmatic, instructional, and sometimes aloof, as it centers on strategic insights for military success. The overall meaning emphasizes the importance of intelligence and cautious planning in conflict, focusing on achieving victory without unnecessary bloodshed.

Authors' Purpose and Intended Audience

• JFK's Purpose and Audience: JFK’s primary purpose is to unify the nation and inspire a sense of duty among its citizens at the dawn of a new era in American politics. His audience is broad, including not only the American public but also foreign nations, as he invites global cooperation for peace and progress.

• Sun Tzu's Purpose and Audience: Sun Tzu’s purpose is to instruct military leaders on the principles of warfare and strategy. His audience is specifically composed of rulers and generals, and the text assumes a knowledgeable reader who understands the complexities of military operations and leadership.

Conclusion

In summary, while JFK's Inaugural Address employs emotional appeals and inclusive, inspiring language to call citizens to action, Sun Tzu's The Art of War provides a more logical, analytical approach to military strategy, tailored towards leaders in command. Each text reflects its author's purpose—JFK seeks to unify and inspire hope, while Sun Tzu aims to educate and ground military strategy in pragmatic principles. The differing tones and rhetorical strategies ultimately serve their respective audiences effectively.