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.

It has always been said that language is “a medium of thought and a tool for conveying meaning”. Yet other than that, it can also tell something about the speaker – who and what kind of person he is – as revealed in the way he/she uses language.

As I lined up to pay at the cashier of National Bookstore, I notice a young lady talking to another woman beside her at the counter. The store was fully-packed; shoppers are rushing in and out of the store hastily. The line was quite long and the cashier, who happens to be a trainee, was moving like a snail. Beside her was their manager giving instructions to the trainee as she accommodated the busy customers.

As I eavesdrop her conversation with the novice, I observed the manager with emphasis on the way she uses language. One could say that the manager is educated by her manner of speaking – her accent is good so with her diction. Her articulation also is fluent and erudite. When she talks to the trainee, she used plain bisaya, as opposed to her use of the Tagalog language when talking to the customers. It was a “broken Tagalog“, the one that is exercised here in Davao. I believe this could be attributed to a concept in Sociolinguistics called Social Dialect – a certain dialect or a language has, in some ways, gained a prestige over another dialect or language. The use of these languages differs when put into different contexts; the language of higher prestige is used in a more formal set-up as opposed to the one of lower prestige. Here in Davao, the “broken Tagalog” has achieved a certain stature that is why the manager used it when conversing with the clienteles. On the other hand, she used plain bisaya, a language of lower prestige, when talking with the trainee. The application of social dialects, of course, is context-based.

What is really fascinating with communication is that it is not only limited in words. Here comes in the concept of non-verbal communication which also expresses ideas as effective as words. These nonverbal cues transmit meanings that need not be spoken orally. This is true when applied to the manager, in which her nonverbal gestures speak more of her too. Through her facial expressions (e.g. frowning, raising of eyebrows, dropping of the jaw) convey that she is not satisfied with the performance of the apprentice. Even her eye behavior shows that she is distracted with the going in and out of customers. Under kinesics (the study of body movements) is posture, which is mainly involuntary but can send out significant social signals. The manager’s posture shows superiority over the trainee. The manager’s physical appearance also communicates information. Furthermore, her clothing and make-up provide clues to her age, personality, attitudes, and status information. By just looking at her, I speculated that she is in her early twenties, single, sophisticated. I also concluded that she is a stylish, classy lady who likes to go out a lot.

It is important to take note that of the two kinds of communication – nonverbal and verbal – context and culture really matter. Culture suggests our interpretation to both nonverbal and verbal communication, that is why interpretation differs in accordance to the kind of society such communication was applied.