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Washington's Farewell Address

Decent Essays

Ainsley Underwood
Ms. Langston
Honors English 1
3 February 2017
Analysis of “Washington’s Farewell Address” “Washington’s Farewell Address” is a compelling and inspiring speech that lifts the spirits of Americans while George Washington rejects taking a third term as President of the United States. This speech was never spoken to an audience, however, the speech was published in the American Daily Advertiser newspaper. This speech was created by George Washington, but James Madison and Alexander Hamilton helped Washington edit the document. It took George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton 5 years to publish the speech. The speech was finally published in 1796. George Washington used rhetorical and literary devices in his speech …show more content…

Washington uses similes, repetition, and metaphors in his speech. An example of a simile would be “urge me, on an occasion like the present.” In this quote Washington is comparing this occasion to the present. An example of repetition would be when Washington says, “of your safety; of your prosperity.” An example of a metaphor would be, “It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize.” This quote is comparing independence to liberty. Washington also uses certain phrases to create a patriotic tone. An example of this would be “The name of American...must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.” “Washington’s Farewell Address” speech is a compelling and inspiring speech that lifted the spirits of Americans while George Washington rejected taking the third term of President of the United States. This speech is very easy to read because of the rhetorical and literary devices he uses. This speech's significance is to reject Washington’s third term and motivate America, and it accomplishes both. “Washington’s Farewell Address” is a compelling and remarkable speech because of how Washington captivates the reader with ethos, pathos, logos, and figurative

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