17. In reaffirming the greatness of our nation we understand that greatness is never a given. 26, VIII, a
To maintain the prosperity of the nation, people of the United Stated must put their hard work not for the importance of few but do it as directed by the
government policies.
18. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor
-- who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. 30, VIII, a
19. For us, they fought and died in places like Concord and Gettysburg, Normandy
and Khe Sahn. 33, IX, a
He mentions places like Concord, Gettysburg, Normandy, and Khe Sahn that remind the people of the battle America won throughout the history. He likes to
refer at the past experience to help him base his goal. The listing of these places is
associated to the honorable American soldier which promotes the patriotic
character of American people. The people are then persuaded to sacrifice for the country. Thus, with this he manages the citizens to contribute the same effort in
the name of American prosperity and freedom. Still similar to the theme in the two previous paragraphs, Obama marks
that scarification is needed in the tenth and eleventh paragraph. Citizen must bring the shared importance to the front personals.
20. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and
worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. 34, X, a
21. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work
of remaking America. 42, XI, a
He creates the sense of urgency in the crises faced by the nation. He also reminds
that the people still have the source that enables them to work together in order to achieve the common purpose.
In the twelfth paragraph, he comes back discussing the economic crisis. He mentions in detail the actions that must be done to solve it. They are like creating
new jobs, building the supporting infrastructure, and manage schools for better education.
22. And we will act, not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation
for growth. 45, XII, a
23. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines
that feed our commerce and bind us together. 46, XII, a
24. Well restore science to its rightful place, and wield technologys wonders
to raise health cares quality and lower its cost. 47, XII, a Obama loves giving example in realistic details such as roads, bridges, electric
grid, and digital lines which make his address meet real action. The list of the infrastructures is then wished to facilitate people directly.
By putting those acts in details, he wants the citizen to see that he is aware to the small but significant problem in the society. He also builds an image of
man of action . Remember that in the inaugural address, image-building is an
important aspect, so it is normal for the newly inaugurated president to talk that way to impress the people. It is for gaining the trust and the sympathy in his term.
He also talks in detail several times in the rest of the address. He does not only mention the internal problem in detail but also points out
the possibility of the group that doubts the capability of American to work out the crises. In the thirteenth paragraph, he is more likely to anticipate the negative
sentiment that can appear from inside and outside the nation.
25. What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted
beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. 54, XIII, a
The word ―cynics‖ refers to the negative response to the political state of America. He further states that those political points of view are no longer
applicable to the current situation. Thus, he expresses this to ensure that the citizen will not be influenced by the negative opinion and only hear that what
government informs is a truth and what his government plans for future is more appropriate.
In the fourteenth and fifteenth paragraph, Obama delivers some rhetorical questions that lead people to have a reflection toward the strength possessed by
the country.
26. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works
-- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is
dignified. 55, XIV, a 27. And those of us who manage the publics dollars will be held to
account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a
people and their government. 58, XIV, a
The purpose of these question is to find an agreement whether the government are competent or not to continue the proposed programs. It infuses the people with an
awareness to keep a positive thought and attitude to the ensuing policies and regulations which the desired result is the ―vital trust‖. In sentence 58, Obama
commands to fix the management of public dollars. He mentions directly that reliance is important for vital trust. U.S. government in running the programs.
