the citizens. It brings closeness between the leader and the people that affects on the people‘s adjustment on the desired attitude to their leader figure. From the
content of the Rheme, it is known that Obama elevates the importance of his oath in the inauguration ceremony to be as equal as the former presidents and even the
Founding Fathers of America. It can be inferred that he knows the potential he has by being a president of the United States so that he is able to play the role to
substantiate his rules. Besides vocative, Obama uses the projecting clause to deliver his views
ab out America‘s crisis. The verbs in the projecting clause bring the mental
processes know, understand, believe and also verbal processes say which are able to project an idea or the speaker‘s thoughts. The topical theme is the subject
in the projected clause. The projecting clauses using mental or verbal process make a strong stance of the speaker toward the idea that he speak about. He does
not use the projecting clause in the form of indirect address but he uses it to speak on the behalf of the people. This choice of structure shows that Obama has a
strong conviction on the topic he talks about. The topic he brings with the projecting clause in the first address is about
the strength of American journey that is incomplete sentence 77, XXI, a and an outlook for all nations that refuses an indifferent attitude in exploiting world
resources sentence 84, XXIII, a. In the second address, he talks about the programs which are considered to be inadequate to meet the current situation
sentence 28, XI, b. He also builds up a new belief that the rising middle class is the ground of the America‘s prosperity sentence 31, XII, b. When he projects the
ideas in this way, he creates a standpoint for his own statement. Helped by the inclusive ―we‖ in the subject position, the people are included as the sayer and
therefore assumed to be in agreement to Obama‘s view.
c. Circumstantial Adjunct as Marked Theme
The circumstantial adjunct can be flexibly positioned in a sentence. They can appear in any position whether it is in the end position or in the initial position
of the sentence. The speaker is free to place this adjunct depended on his need of emphasis. Therefore, fronting or moving the circumstantial adjunct to the initial
position signs that the speaker is telling something with such circumstance as the point of departure that affects the whole message in his utterance. In both
addresses Obama put the circumstantial adjuncts in the front position that makes them become the marked Theme in the addresses. The identification of marked
circumstantial adjunct is shown below: 1. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or
vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents. 7, III, a
At these moments,
America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained
faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents.
Location Topical
Rheme Theme
2. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have
strangled our politics. 22, VII, a
On this
day We
we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too
long have strangled our politics. Location
Topical Rheme
Theme
3. Guided by these principles once more we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding
between nations. 72, XIX, a
Guided by
these principles once more
we can meet those new threats that demand even greater
effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.
Means Topical
Rheme Theme
4. Today we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. 6, III, b
Today we
continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time.
Location Topical Rheme
Theme
5. Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation and one people. 21, IX, b
Now, more
than ever,
we must do these things together, as one nation and one
people. Location
Topical Rheme
Theme
6. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light
of freedom. 87, XXVI, b
With common effort and common purpose,
with passion
and dedication,
Let us answer the call of history and carry
into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.
Means Predicate
Rheme Theme
The first three sentences are taken from the first sentence and the last three sentences from the second address. They show similarity in the placing of
circumstantial adjunct. They also emphasize on the same meanings which are location at these moments, on this day, today, and now and means Guided by
these principles once more , and With common effort and common purpose, with
passion and dedication .
Obama puts the emphasis on location meaning signing the value of his term of service. He directs a view that that all the responsibilities must be done
immediately regarding of the needs of the country in facing the current crisis. He needs his term of service as president to be seen as new chance to act in a better
way solving the problems of America. He invites the people to take the actions without a delay. Obama asks them to stay on the guidelines from the founding
document sentence 7, III, a, to start a new chapter of political life that no longer applies the old dogmas sentence 22, VII, a and 6, III, b, and to be more united
and make things work together sentence 21, IX, b. The meaning of means, in the other hand, signals the way that Obama
wants to get the plans done. He has defined some principles in the address and he wants the sturdy alliance and the strong conviction work to minimize threat and
gain the trust and the corporation from other nations sentence 72, XIX, a. The common effort and the common purpose also becomes Obama‘s rationalization in
asking for the people dedication to the nation in order to support his governance that is ascribed with the spirit of freedom sentence 87, XXVI, b.
Thus, by placing those circumstantial adjuncts as marked theme, Obama drives the people to have a positive attitude toward his term of service. He shows
that it is worth the support. This is seen from how he sets the message to be first affected by the circumstance he puts in the initial position of the sentences.
