Hey everyone,
Here are my questions based on the three readings, enjoy!
1. In his address of "The Strenuous Life" given in 1899 , Roosevelt preaches that the "highest form of success, comes not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger" (57). How does Roosevelt use rhetoric to advocate the importance of leading a life of "toil", verses the life of a "timid man"?
2.Three years following his speech of "The Strenuous Life", Roosevelt gives his "Administration of the Island Possessions" address in 1902; In the speech, can you identify any areas areas of the text where he uses the ideas from"The strenuous Life? How is this connection crucial to the message he is trying to get across?
3. Seven years later, Roosevelt gives his speech, "The expansion of the White Races" in 1909 at a church, how is his language different compared to the previous speeches? Do you think it has to do with the his audience? What message is Roosevelt sending about the expansion of the white race?"
4. In the small blurb before the speech of "The Strenuous Life", it states that, "This is perhaps the most important essay in the canon of the American empire". Do you guys believe this? Do the ideas presented by Roosevelt, still apply to your society today?
Diego Rivera, Pan-American Unity
Diego Rivera, Pan-American Unity
1) Roosevelt paints a contrast between the hardworking, nationalistic (and consequently pro-American) man with the "timid man, the lazy man, the man who distrusts his country" (58) in an attempt to stir up a fighting spirit. I found this last contrast between the two to be particularly interesting - the idea that those who might not support US enterprises are anti-American and not truly men. A truly honorable, American man must stand up for his country and conjure a warrior spirit in times of hardship, "for great is the debt of the nation to these and their kind" (58). The "cloistered" man who shies from the strenuous life, on the other hand, dishonorably abandons his nation and is a traitor to its very foundations.
ReplyDelete1. In the speech, “The Strenuous Life,” Roosevelt persuasively argues that success comes “but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil.” He preaches to the audience in Chicago and appeals to their pride as Americans, as he refers to them as “men of the greatest city of the West, men of the state which gave to the country Lincoln and Grant, men who preeminently and distinctly embody all that is most American in the American character.” He continues to praise his audience through rhetoric when he states, “You men of Chicago have made this city great, you men of Illinois have done your share, and more than your share, in making America great, because you neither preach nor practice such a doctrine[, peace].” Ultimately, in this speech Roosevelt uses patriotic language to convince his audience in the necessity of an aggressive foreign policy.
ReplyDeletequestion 1- Living in America is it drilled in our heads to work hard, with hard work we will succeed in reaching the american goal of owning a house with a happy family. Roosevelt's speech " The Strenuous Life" clearly demonstrates american nationalism that strikes at the hearts of many. in showing the people of american that he feels they are some of the greatest people in the world fills them with confidence. a confidence that inspires people to work harder and prideful, that is what this nation was formed from. hard work and pride for ones country has created a powerful nation. living a life of " slothful ease" will be the down fall of the nation.
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