Example analysis from Lou Gehrig’s speech

 Lou Gehrig's retirement speech one of the most memorable speeches of all time.

Rhetor/ Persona

Persona: Gehrig cast himself as the humble hero who courageously fought a deadly disease.

Rhetor: Lou Gehrig was a legendary outfielder for the New York Yankees, amassing 2771 hits, 1995 RBI, 493 home runs, and a .340 career batting average.

Subject: Retirement from Baseball

 Rather than focusing on his fatal illness or the accomplishments of his career, Gehrig shared his appreciation to his teammates, managers, opponents, fans, and the media.  The audience assumed Gehrig would discuss his “bad break,” but instead he gave a motivational speech focusing on how he was “the luckiest man on earth.”

Audience

Over 61, 000 fans packed into Yankee Stadium to see Gehrig in uniform for the last time, including his wife and parents.  Both teammates and rivals alike loved and respected Gehrig.  His fans attended to show him their gratitude and support one last time.Gehrig’s audience expected him to have self-pity for himself after being diagnosed with a fatal illness, but Gehrig presented a noble self.

Context / Occasion

Gehrig’s speech is influenced by the ongoing celebration of his career and the life-threatening diagnosis he had received.

- With war in the background, Americans immersed themselves in sports to help them deal with the harsh reality. Many embraced baseball as an escape and some saw their favorite players as an icon of hope and a symbolic representation of American Culture.

Purpose

Gehrig spoke to say goodbye and thank his teammates and fans for his life. He wanted fans to remember him for his positive outlook, “the luckiest man.”

Appeals:

• Gehrig’s status as a well-respected baseball player with 443 homeruns provides him with a credible platform to speak to the baseball community.
• His choice of subject focusing on farewell as opposed to a speech about disease and regret that evokes pity also builds his credibility as a speaker.
• His statement “I consider myself the luckiest man on this earth” in light of his circumstances not only gives him character, but appeals to the audience’s emotions, further evoking their gratitude towards him due to his humble approach.
• Gehrig’s humble approach to complimenting his teammates and then the family members in his life that have given him so much to live for fosters empathy within the audience and establishes an honorable relationship between the rhetor and the audience.