Soapstone: Challenger Disaster

Felipe Izquierdo

http://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganchallenger.htm

Speaker:
The speaker is Ronald Reagan, leader of the land of the free, and president to the
United States of America. At the time probably the most influential man on earth
he is in charge of a nation and being an example for the rest of the world. His fellow
countrymen died and it is his responsibility to address all others he is in charge of.

Occasion:
The occasion is part of the world’s most active years in space programs. A race in
the cold war to reach new boundaries 1986 exemplifies the effort to beat Russia.
The Challenger mission has just ended in a disaster, which killed its participant’s o
national television. It is the reaction to this tragic event, which is the whole purpose
of this speech.

Audience:
To all American citizens, because their “role models” have died and their pride
harmed. All Americans are collateral to this accident since it shows weakness to the
international community. Specifically to the families of the people in the accident
which suffered the most. The international community is also addressed because
Regan wants to show that there not slowing down or losing their spirit.

Purpose:
Reagan has two main purposes, mourning and reinforcing. He wants to recognize
the brave who everyday take risks for America and in this occasion died bravely.
He wants them to be knowd as heroes and their memory to never be forgotten.
The second purpose is for Americans to not loose hope in the space program and
instead to cherish and embrace it even more. He is clear in stating the importance
of the space program and reaffirms its support for it as a country. He also wants
everyone to know that this speed bump will not slow America down in any way, and
he declares that there will be even more volunteers, scientists, and Americans to
carry out this program.

Subject:
Reagan specifically states these 2 purposes and the content of his speech. He
describes the disaster and proceeds to explain their action. He acknowledges the
deaths of these astronauts and describes how honest they are about the space
program and the difficulties and dangers it has.

Tone:
The tone of this speech is very clear, its obscure, sad, mournful and hopeful. He
continuously uses sad words like tragedy, loss, and terrible to make clear that it
is very tragic what has happened. He wants for all of America to share this feeling
of recognition for its dead heroes. Dramatically expressing the events of the day
attached to the sentiment of them. At the same time he is also confident it the space
program but keeps its cold feeling throughout the whole speech.