Hannibal Lecter’s Whore: Blog Of

Introduction

This analysis covers the following materials: Homage to Luna and Hidalgo by Jose Rizal, Exhortation Before the Battle at Imus by Emilio Aguinaldo, and Women of the Philippines by Clemencia Lopez. This paper will thoroughly examine the rhetorical elements and variables that are evident in the three aforementioned speeches. Examining the rhetorical elements would mean analyzing situations, ideas, and form and structure.

The three speeches also exhibit similarity with regard to their subject matter. Thus, this analysis also aims to extract a theme that, in one way or another, binds them. Though the three speeches were delivered by different speakers in different occasions and contexts, they possess thematic commonality.

At the latter part of this paper will be the evaluation and assessment of the three speeches – whether the three speeches are effective or not. In addition to that, the principles of the art of a good speech will also be applied in evaluating the speeches.

Overview and Discussion

Upon evaluating the three speeches, it can then be observed that the encompassing theme is the Filipino struggle for freedom and independence from the colonizers. In the speeches of Rizal and Aguinaldo, the colonizers then were the Spaniards, while in the case of Lopez’s speech, the tyrants were the Americans. Though Rizal, Aguinaldo, and Lopez respectively have different ways of advocating their perceived most effective line of attack (Rizal preferred diplomatic revolution, Aguinaldo himself led the armed revolution, while Lopez made use of her affiliations with Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association to appeal for the liberation of her country), still it all boils down to one common purpose: to free their country from the domination of foreign forces.

Moreover, a sub-theme is also evident throughout the three speeches. Aside from the emphasis on the clamor for independence, the speakers also cited the plights experienced by majority of the Filipinos as consequences of the war. Rizal incorporated the said sub-theme through his interpretation of the artworks by Hidalgo and Luna. The following citations are reflective of the torment experienced by the Filipinos under the Spanish regime:

…One “hears” coming from the canvas of “El Expolarium” the tumult of the throng, the cry of slaves, the metallic rattle of the armor on the corpses…

…On the other hand, in Hidalgo’s work, there beats an emotion of the purest kind, ideal expression of melancholy, beauty and frailty, victims of brutal force…

On the other hand, the said sub-theme is implied in Aguinaldo’s speech. The entirety of his speech suggested a grave oppression on the part of the Filipinos, and such tyranny pushed them to war against their oppressors.

In Lopez’s speech, such sub-theme is depicted through describing and comparing the status of Filipino women with American women. Furthermore, she elaborated that the plights of Filipinas are consequences of the colonization by the Americans.

…Thousands have been widowed, orphaned, left alone and homeless, exposed and in the greatest misery. It is, then not a surprising fact that the diseases born of hunger are increasing and that today immorality prevails in the Philippines to an extent never before known.

Analysis of the Speeches

1. The Theme

The three speakers made use of different approaches in presenting the theme. Rizal, in his speech, disguised his political motives by applying metaphors as his rhetorical conventions. These metaphors aided in making the speech appear as a toast instead of a political stunt. The following passage illustrates how Rizal effectively made use of metaphors that have deeper meanings and analogies other than being mere praises for the success of Luna and Hidalgo:

I drink then to the health of our artists Luna and Hidalgo, legitimate and pure glories of two peoples! I drink to the health of the persons who have lent them a helping hand on the dolorous path of art! I drink to the health of the Filipino youth, sacred hope of my homeland, that they may imitate such precious examples…and I drink finally for the happiness of those parents who, deprived of the tenderness of their children, follow them from those distant regions with moist eyes and palpitating hearts…

In the case of Aguinaldo, the theme is explicitly said and is reflected by the brevity of the speech. The speaker’s directness also aided in emphasizing the theme. Moreover, as shown below, the speaker employed the intervention of a supernatural being that can then be seen as the deus ex machina:

I do believe that God is with us in this fight against Spain. Although our first attempt was a failure, God spared my life so that I can be with you to continue the fight. God knows that we have only one purpose: to free our country from bondage…

Lopez’s approach, on the other hand, is similar to Rizal’s as both speakers took advantage of the occasion to deliver their intended message. Also, their speeches exhibit duality in their meanings as the speeches themselves suggest underlying connotations that are political in nature. In addition, Lopez slightly twisted her approach so to fit in with the setting and occasion:

…I pray the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association to do what it can to remedy all these misery and misfortune in my unhappy country. You can do much to bring about the cessation of these horrors and cruelties which are today taking place in the Philippines…After all, you ought to understand that we are only contending for the liberty of our country just as you once fought for the same liberty for yours.

2. The Rhetorical Elements

In the speech Homage to Luna and Hidalgo, the social milieu that time greatly influenced the content of the speech. The speech was delivered at a time when the Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards, and the Filipinos themselves are divided as to what is best for the country. The Ilustrados in Spain had a different view of achieving freedom compared to the Katipuneros in the Philippines. They wanted a diplomatic change through education – that is, educating the Filipinos first for the country to stand on its own – over armed struggle for independence. This is primarily reflected in the way Rizal, an Ilustrado, conveyed his message to his fellow Ilustrados.

With regard to form and structure, Rizal applied illustrations and analogies as his rhetorical moves. It is also evident that Rizal’s language use is reflective of the kind of audience he had. The same holds true in Aguinaldo’s speech – originally delivered in Tagalog – since context-wise, it is more appropriate to use the vernacular. He also employed a brief narration and flashbacks to provide backgrounder of the setting. The brevity of the speech also shows urgency in their part since the situation that time calls for an immediate action. Moreover, Aguinaldo used his authority and credibility as their leader to impose the said urgency.

On the other hand, Lopez made use primarily of compare and contrast as a rhetorical move in presenting her message. Since the occasion encompasses different cultures, making use of comparisons and contrasts was more effective for the audience to grasp the discrepancies that the speaker wanted to express. Moreover, Lopez applied logos in presenting her arguments. She cited a passage from a document to further certify the acceptability and validity of her claims.

As regards to the topic variable of the three speeches, it can be observed that the subject matters discussed were very timely. Moreover, all speeches exhibit social responsiveness as they are reactions to the pressing societal issues that time.

Conclusion

Upon evaluating the rhetorical elements and identifying the common theme of the three speeches, it can then be concluded that all have been effective in extending its message and purpose to the audience. The effectiveness of the speeches also relies to the character of the speaker (ethos), the manner the speech was delivered, relevance of the matter discussed, and the soundness of arguments presented. It can also be concluded that setting variables greatly influence the make-up of a speech in terms of its structure and form.

Finally, speech, being a form of rhetorical communication, is a powerful tool in influencing the conviction of the audience. This holds true in the case of the speeches of Rizal, Aguinaldo, and Lopez, since the speeches triggered patriotism and nationalism that in one way or another, aided in achieving their country’s ultimate goal of freeing itself from foreign bondage.

            I’ve always been the type of person that doesn’t readily accept things around me. I could say that it is in my nature to question why things are as they are. In my quest to understand my immediate surroundings and even those that are abstract have produced a significant storage of ideas that are the basis for my beliefs and decisions.

            The existence of American bases in our soils and even perhaps in our seas and in the air has not yet struck my curiosity until I attended the forum about it. At first I thought this would be an interesting and provoking topic but at the end of the forum I found out that it was more than that. It was timely and its significance in our society and as a people is rather direct and wholly liberating.

            We as a people have lost our inherent identity a long time ago when we were colonized by three foreign powers that have left their own identities embedded in our own system. The Spaniards have left us their behavior, some of their language, culture and general beliefs. The Americans have left us their way of thinking and system of governance as well as the belief that we are a people of inferior quality. This is most manifested in our imitation of their culture and way of life.

            It is not only that we have allowed the presence of America’s military bases as a form defense since we as young nation cannot fully defend itself from outside aggression when the time comes. For almost a century the bases were present and became a part of the daily grind of Filipino life although less conspicuous in the long run. In 1992 we took the initiative and political will to abolish the presence of the said bases and it was successful. The Americans left leaving us with the hope that our dependence will altogether be gone.

            But it is not a happy ending as the cliché goes. Our decision to end the ill effects of the stay of the military bases in our country has produced another agreement forged to continue the deployment of American military power in the form exercises. At first it seemed a harmless venture of two allies even advantageous to us. But the presence of the American military forces has raised a lot more questions. Questions that no longer deal the conduct of military personnel towards us but more that that. The question now is that of keeping our sovereignty as a state.

            We have always been a state that was not too strong to exist independently, a rather discontenting fact I must admit. Our history would account for this and this is not entirely our fault. Being weak, it is but a natural course for us to seek the aid and intervention of the United States of America in our affairs.

            In the process of our indulgence of the American dream and aid we have partially if not wholly lost our sovereignty. This is of course not admitted by our leaders and they insist that the purpose of the continuous deployment of American armed forces in our country is not detrimental to our sovereign authority.

            I must admit also that in the surface, the exercises have in some way benefitted the areas to which they are deployed since it also contributes to infrastructure development, education and medical help. They have also posed a danger to the insurgents who have been consistently doing activities that are threats to our national security.

            These benefits only magnify the fact that we are indeed a weakling and we cannot handle our own problems. These benefits only show that the American government has pierced that precious thing we call sovereignty. And that they are much more important than getting our rightful place in the world. This also shows that we are merely a pawn in the effort of the USA to combat threats to its being the only superpower remaining in the world.

            While this is not an entirely bleak situation for us it is still a matter of serious consideration. We have been through a lot of revolutions and we have paid dearly for these revolutions. Part of our history is spilled with blood for the kind of freedom that we think we have now. Unfortunately, this freedom is but a propaganda advertised to us when we were still at a young and vulnerable stage as individuals and as state. This belief is forward to us in the education system, the media and our culture in general. This belief is the reason why the Americans continue to spread its tentacles to our internal affairs and at the same time made them an inescapable ally.

            We have been led to believe that we are indeed a free people but the truth of the matter is that we were never really free in the strictest sense of the word. The presence of American armed forces here is but one manifestation of their continued supervision in our governance and worse our way of life.

            How can we be truly free when our decisions have to be approved by the USA? When its wars are also fought by us? When our economy is subjected to the whims of the Americans?

            Disturbing as it may seem, the fact still remains and we are allowing its continued existence. Military power is one of the most important factors that is to be considered in the international arena. The United States of America has incorporated its armed forces in the guise of friendly exercises and humanitarian missions in our society to justify their intervention in our domestic affairs. We have let the Americans meddle in our affairs and we love them for that because of the added benefits that our country gets but at the same time not foreseeing the underlying effects of such treatment. In doing so, we have injected to the American psyche that they are indispensable to us. Maybe we should have become a colony of the USA and never granted independence, at least this way there is no room for the flourishing of a nationalistic identity and the concepts like sovereignty and independence, although this situation is rather damning for us. But we like to be damned anyway.

            It is very sad to know that majority of our people and even our leaders have embraced the Americans with open arms without even thinking twice. As a Filipino, I have never really developed that nationalism as required by me not because I choose to but because I was led to believe that we are an inferior people. Over the years I have understood the meaning of having an identity as a person and as citizen. I have chosen now to become a Filipino and I despise the American dream that has made this country a home of the copycats.