Margaret Thatcher's Eulogy to Ronald Reagan

Introduction

Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, expresses profound sorrow in her eulogy to former president, Ronald Reagan. Thatcher predominantly uses pathos rhetoric to highlight Reagan's successful presidency, especially during a time of great trials in America during the Cold War. In times of difficulty, Reagan's "easy jokes gave reassurance to an anxious world" (Thatcher, 2004). The terror and unease in America juxtaposed with his lighthearted humor illustrate Reagan's ability to keep the public together and unified. The tone is deeply appreciative of the efforts and actions taken, directing the audience to remember the overseeing “firm principles… he acted upon decisively” (Thatcher, 2004). Thatcher utilizes the sensitive era to exemplify the firm leadership America looked up to.

Imagery and Reagan's Leadership

Furthermore, Thatcher uses vivid imagery to convey Reagan’s selfless heart and omniscience. Even during Soviet pressures, Reagan continued to see "many sides of truth" yet “did not shrink" under the "weight of these pressures" (Thatcher, 2004). The description of the former president expresses a man who is knowledgeable and understanding of the current situation. This imagery is crucial as it stresses the importance of Reagan’s role during his presidency. The word choice used illustrates the foreign, political struggle that the audience can sympathize with. Additionally, these descriptions evoke a sense of admiration and respect for Reagan's foresight and resilience.

Metaphor and Diligent Character

Moreover, Thatcher employs the rhetorical device of metaphor to express Reagan’s diligent character and successful term as president. Reagan aimed to “mend America’s wounded spirit, restore the strength of the free world, and to free the slaves of communism” (Thatcher, 2004). At the peak of the Cold War, America faced significant physical and mental challenges in maintaining unity and strength against the Soviet Union. These metaphors convey to readers how, despite the risks and difficulties, Reagan persevered in his pursuit of healing, unifying, and freeing America from the burdens they carried through the war. Likewise, the use of this rhetorical device highlights that, with such a daunting challenge at hand, his unceasing fight for restoration was ultimately for the people of America. This reflects a tone of ardency that fills the text with passion and optimism, allowing readers to also comprehend Reagan’s dedication as president.

Ethos Appeal and Reagan's Legacy

Through the use of ethos appeal, Thatcher continues to build her argument of Reagan’s presidency as successful. The demanding tasks as president were burdensome, but as “Arnold Bennett once called ‘the great cause of cheering us all up’”, Reagan’s essential cause was to lift spirits (Thatcher, 2004). The dreary Cold War would have stripped the people of their optimism and hope, day after day. Yet, the ethos appeal of Arnold Bennett's high profile, as well as his support and belief in Reagan’s cause, is used to overcome the discouragement of the American citizen of 2004 to also believe in the president. The promising, confident political work of Reagan and his spirited character swayed the dying hearts of the citizens. Ultimately, despite the despondent times of the Cold War and the waning confidence of the citizens, Margaret Thatcher delivered her eulogy speech in belief of President Ronald Reagan and used the rhetorical appeals of pathos, imagery, metaphor, and ethos to portray his presidency as successful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Margaret Thatcher’s eulogy for Ronald Reagan is a powerful testament to his leadership and character. By utilizing rhetorical devices such as pathos, imagery, metaphor, and ethos, Thatcher effectively conveys the significance of Reagan’s presidency. Her speech serves as a reminder of the impact of Reagan’s vision and steadfastness during a tumultuous period in history. It is through these rhetorical strategies that Thatcher ensures Reagan’s legacy is remembered with admiration and respect.

References

Thatcher, M. (2004). Margaret Thatcher's Eulogy to Ronald Reagan. Retrieved from [source URL]