The speech contains several metaphors and makes liberal use of imagery. The use of “we” and “our” through the speech creates a sense of togetherness and inspires collective dedication- a subtle usage of ethos. The mention of Mahatma Gandhi, a greatly revered figure by the public and his many struggles is also made to appeal to the sympathy of the Indian public and to coax a sympathetic response from them.
This is made clear by the repeated use of terms such as “labor”, “work” and “incessant striving.” Nehru alludes to Mahatma Gandhi as “The greatest man of their generation” as his personal admiration for Mahatma Gandhi finds public expression. The use of varying contrasting devices- “While the world sleeps, India will awake-“ and “trackless centuries.” is also made liberally.Ī significant part of the speech is used to simply repeat the ideas of service and the labor that would be needed to restore India to its former glory. Here it can be observed that Nehru indulges in a continued rhetoric of certain words such as “freedom”, “work” and “future,” in order to emphasize and draw attention to these key aspects of his narrative. There is a sense of magnanimity and urgency to this part of the speech that climaxes in the form of urging to be brave and wise and further the cause of Indian glory. There is the typical personification of India as a female considered as “mother” that is common in Indian literature. In the next two paragraphs India’s ascension to freedom is commented upon. The conclusion of the first paragraph of the speech widens the scope of the target audience from the Indian people to a global audience, and the dedication to the cause of humanity is a skillful use of ethos.
His use of pathos is particularly keen as he states- “Old to the new, when an age ends when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.” This evokes memories of the suppression of Indian culture and spirit, the Indian “soul” by the British.
#Nehru speech at the stroke of midnight full#
Nehru’s speech oscillates between optimism and caution as he celebrates the achievement of freedom but simultaneously laments that it is “not wholly or in full measure” referring to the bloody partition between India and Pakistan. The words that follow- “Redeem our pledge” set the tone for the rest of the speech where the idea of service to the nation and the fulfillment of the promises made by the Indian National Congress are continually reiterated. The very opening words of Nehru’s speech- “India’s tryst with destiny” are imbibed with the poetic flair that is characteristic of Nehru’s speeches and writing. His speech serves as a call to arms for the Indian people to work towards rebuilding an India destroyed by the British it is a pledge by India’s leaders to secure peace and prosperity for a newly born country that had just thrown off the yoke of a rule that had lasted over two hundred years. In his speech delivered on the night of India’s independence, Nehru delivers a vivid picture of India’s historical greatness and expresses his hope for an equally great, if not greater future for India forged by the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters and the labor of new India’s citizens. Nehru uses pathos excellently, and the fact that he was such an integral part of the freedom struggle strengthens his use of ethos. A rhetorical analysis reveals the varying degrees with which Nehru employs logos, pathos and ethos- the strong use of ethos and pathos compensate for the lack of logos in the speech which keeping in mind the target audience and the timing of the speech does not particularly affect the narrative adversely. Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Tryst With Destiny “ is gracious, politically correct and dramatic in Nehru’s usual style.