Rhetorical Analysis — We shall fight on the beaches
Long ago the world was in grave peril, as the looming danger of the German threat on the continent of Europe pushed evermore abroad, the steadfast will of the British stood with ten toes down. Winston Churchill gave a speech ‘We shall fight on the beaches’ outlining the heroic deeds done by not only civilians but the military as well, at the evacuation of Dunkirk. Over 300,000 soldiers were evacuated on the sands of Dunkirk, a port town belonging to France, who had now fallen underneath the iron fist of the Germans. France falling had now left Britain the next threat to their success, however Winston would not give in easily.
The inspiring speech spoke to sway the hearts of Britain’s population and moreover speak on the fact that because the evacuation did indeed save many, there was a fight to be had that was not won there. Dunkirk was only one field of battle of thousands to come in the near future. The imminent danger of the German army across the English channel worried many of their safety. Dunkirk was evacuated officially in June the 4th of 1940. Daring German air raids and bombings began later in the year on September 7th, 1940.
Churchill speaks on a deeper note later in the speech stating that the Airmen of Britain were some of the most brave and iconic soldiers even more than the ‘Knights of the Round Table’ and ‘The Crusaders’. “..all fall back into the past..these young men, going forth every morn to guard their native land..holding in their hands these instruments of colossal and shattering power..”. He spoke of their importance in the survival of thousands, stating how the Germans would have no better goal than to “..make evacuation from these beaches impossible and sink all these ships which were displayed..” and how the Germans tried hard and were bested by the great strength of British airpower. The courageous pilots were trained to their best abilities to defend their homeland from dangers brought to their front doorstep and defend their brothers and sisters.
Industry was crippled heavily with the loss of France, mines of valuable material were lost, equipment destroyed, lives lost all to the Germans. Churchill speaks on the losses in France at the time “..we have lost nearly as many guns — nearly one thousand and all our transports, all the armored vehicles that were with the Army in the north..”. Not only was France captured along with their valuable resources and industry to produce arms and armor, Britain had to take up for the loss and produce twice as many to counter such a heavy loss. “Work is proceeding everywhere, night and day, Sundays and week days. Capital and Labor have cast aside their interests, rights and customs..” showing that citizens threw away their home lives for the greater good of the country, understanding that their efforts were all put back into the safety of their communities.
Churchill swayed the hearts and minds of thousands across the world with unwavering courage. “..I have full confidence that if all do their duty..if nothing is neglected..we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home.” Churchill drove home the argument that Britain was not going to give up in such troubling times. Being appointed Prime Minister in 1940, he understood that he needed to do everything in his power to assure his country was under him and united as a whole. “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans..whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds..” Churchill made it apparent that no matter what may happen, he would do everything in his power to keep his country and his home until his last dying breath, under British rule.
Time and time again throughout the speech, Churchill keeps the audience together and unifying them against a common enemy and goal. Despite his gains and losses, he is unafraid to admit his struggles yet speaks as though he is with resolve until the end and has a plan for all that is to come ahead of him. Churchill defined in his speech not only the uncertainness of invasion, and his desperate need for his countries support. Through wonderous metaphors and word usage, Churchill achieved everything he had desired.
