Metaphoric Criticism: Bill Clinton’s First Inaugural Address
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=46366
Bill Clinton gave his first inaugural address on January 20, 1993 and it was given in a way that was supposed to encourage Americans to believe in a brighter future under his administration. He discussed the idea that the reason he was elected was to have a new beginning for America and this was in turn a sort of response to the fact that the United States was under Republican rule between 1981 and 1993. In the first section of his speech he says, “Though we marched to the music of our time, our mission is timeless.” This quote was referring to the idea that America is one of a kind and we understand things through a different lens than other parts of the world, which is part of what makes the goals we are trying to reach as a nation unique according to Clinton. The metaphor in this quote is “marched to the music” and it is basically saying that Americans and its founders set a different tone in history compared to other countries. When speaking directly to the American people he says, “And you have changed the face of Congress, the Presidency, and the political process itself. Yes, you, my fellow Americans, have forced the spring.” In this quote he is discussing the idea that the only reason there is change in the country from Republican rule is due to the fact that the citizens have voted for change so he is encouraging people to keep voting for the changes they want to see in the country. The metaphor in this quote is “spring,” and this represents new beginnings in the America in hopes of a better future. At the end of his speech he says, “From this joyful mountaintop of celebration we hear a call to service in the valley. We have heard the trumpets. We have changed the guard. And now, each in our own way and with God’s help, we must answer the call.” This quote is about how excited Clinton and his supporters are about the start of his first term as president and the changes that they hope will be made under his administration. The metaphor of this quote is about the joy that comes with change and the good things that he is hoping he can bring to the country.