Fantasy-Theme Criticism

Fantasy-Theme Criticism 1
Literature: Rhetorical Analysis
Fantasy-Theme Criticism: Richard Nixon’s "Checkers Speech"
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Fantasy-Theme Criticism 2
Introduction to Fantasy-Theme Criticism of the "Checkers Speech"
Faced with one of the most challenging moments of his career in politics, Richard Nixon
found himself in the middle of hot criticism against his character and morality; a situation, which
would deem him unfit for the office of the deputy presidency, he was seeking. He was accused of
embezzling funds that had been collected for his personal campaigns. In a quick and lengthy
rejoinder, Nixon organized an address to the American people that was broadcast live on
television and radio for over half an hour. Based on the same rhetorical line of claims, he used
oratorical language that ended up producing three separate themes that ultimately appealed to his
audience and the citizens at large. These themes incorporated Nixon as an American Patriot, who
shared the “American Dream” strongly, by acting as a Role Model. This speech would later be
named the “Checkers Speech”. This paper uses Ernest’s Bormann's fantasy theme criticism to
reveal the use of rhetoric by the speaker in delivering the three themes of American Patriot,
American Dream”, and Role Model, and ultimately appealing to the audience.
Background to the Fantasy-Theme Analysis of the "Checkers Speech"
The famous "Checkers Speech" delivered by Richard Nixon qualifies as a rhetorical piece
responding to a rhetorical situational challenge. As explained by Benoit, all rhetorical situations
comprise of a chief element known as exigence. This is defined as a conditional case of
imperfection that is also marked by a significant degree of necessity and criticality.
1
Hence, mort
communications from retors in response to rhetorical situations get generated from the habit of
the rhetor noticing the exigence and the probability that it can be influenced through an
appropriate communication. A further explanation of rhetorical situations indicated that the
responses from the audience of a rhetor responding to an exigence depend on numerous
1
. Benoit, William L. "The Genesis Of Rhetorical Action." (Southern Communication Journal,
vol 59, no. 4, 1994, pp. 342-355. Informa UK Limited), 343.
Fantasy-Theme Criticism 3
constraints, which relate to their distrust to the rhetor, inability to recognize the exigence, and the
display of poor oratory skills by the rhetor among others.
2
In Nixon’s case, his duty involved
generating a strong response that addressed the situational exigence, audience, and constraints,
which he achieved. To deliver the criterion of this achievement, this paper justifies the relevance
of the "Checkers" speech for rhetorical analysis, discusses the fantasy theme methodology of
coverage, analyze the contextual and historical backgrounds of the artifacts, criticize the artifact,
and evaluate the discourse of the rhetor.
Justification for the Fantasy-Theme Criticism of the "Checkers Speech"
Understanding the general background and source from which a piece of artifact or
rhetorical text emerged provides the valid ground for subjecting it to an analysis as a rhetorical
text. In the background off this text in the year 1952, the candidate for Deputy Presidency of the
United States of America faced accusations for the plundering of at least $18,235b that had been
donated to his campaign kitty by Californian businessmen. As reviewed by the existing
committee of the Republican National Committee, this situation posed a threat and possibly
embarrassing situation for the then presidential candidate, General Dwight Eisenhower. If the
“Checkers Speech had not been made, the highest probabilities were that the Presidential
Candidate General Dwight Eisenhower would have had to drop his deputy presidential candidate
for another one. This would have made situations unpredictable for both the “preferred deputy
president” and the “running mate” as presidential candidate. While the preferred deputy
president would have lost support and position, it is also clear that all his “lovers” were not sure
to vote for the presidential candidate after his departure.
2
. Ibid., 345.
Fantasy-Theme Criticism 4
So, Nixon had to come out and speak against these allegations. In his own words, he
confessed; "if it hadn't been for the broadcast, I would have never been around to run for the
deputy presidency".
3
This statement and the general perspective of the potential deputy
president; who ultimately became deputy president in the ensuing election prove that such a text
is worth analysis and criticism as a rhetorical piece of information. Far and wide, the inclusion of
fantasy themes only broadens and specifies this explanation to the success of Nixon and his
presidential candidate. In all, the two are worth rhetorical analysis as they involve all the primary
and secondary elements that bestow the chief levels of rhetoric.
Methodology Constructing the Rhetorical Vision
According to Foss, fantasy themes normally arise from symbolic convergence.
4
Based on
the artifact, certain themes have emerged from the mass audience, including the media and their
subsystems, the general public and organized campaign messages. The manifestation of these
themes is brought out by the allegations and attacks directed towards Nixon. To be specific about
the fantasy themes within the context of this artifact, the thematic thesis involves the attacks
against Nixon while thematic antithesis involves the Nixon response to his attackers. The
rhetorical vision that came out through the fantasy themes is that Nixon represents a patriot, an
ideal American and a person of high moral character. Therefore, three fantasy themes emerged
from his speech, which includes Nixon as Patriot, American Dream, and as the Moral Model.
Fantasy-Theme Analysis
The article has applied a criteria symbolic convergence and development of fantasy
themes, leading to the development of the rhetorical vision. The motive behind this artifact was
3
. Nixon, Richard. Six Crises (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1962), 129.
4
. Foss, Sonja K. Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration & Practice (4th ed. Long Grove, IL:
Waveland Press, 2009), 101..
Fantasy-Theme Criticism 5
survival. Nixon was successful in saving his political career. By addressing antithesis of
emerging fantasy themes and responding to the situational exigency, Nixon came up with a
rhetorical message that was accepted and believable by his audience. He succeeded and was able
to continue being a dominant political force for many years. The presence of a shared reality
among individuals who share idealism in rhetorical themes is real.
5
The occurrence of
convergence of ideas can be noticed by an individualized commonality of an understanding of
reality in the text. According to analyst Bormann, the mere existence of common realities
contributes to shared acceptance and reality of the existent of accepted unison that convergence
exists in a text. The contribution of the mass audience and the convergence of text from the
rhetor contribute to the overall convergence of the text. The rhetorical vision of this rhetoric
situation get formed by the existence of the thesis; formed by the accusations against Nixon and
the faults initially traded on him. These get delivered in what could be referred to as a rhetorical
convergence analysis.
The rhetorical vision, which forms the foundational ground for the analysis of the artifact
are found in the emergent fantasy themes concerning Nixon’s candidacy. They question his
morality, economic uprightness, and trueness to the ‘American Dream”. In simple terms, these
foundational grounds formulate a common belief that Nixon should be questioned in his loyalty
and fairness to all that mean goodness for Americans. Noticeably, the public’s confidence in the
candidate has substantially diminished.
6
Many, who previously supported him, appeared to be on
the brink of withdrawing that support because of the fronted allegations.
5
. Bormann, Ernest G. "Fantasy and Rhetorical Vision: The Rhetorical Criticism of Social
Reality."(Quarterly Journals of Speech 58.4 (1972): 396-407), 402.
6
. Gonchar, Ruth M., and Dan F. Hahn. "The Rhetorical Predictability of Richard M. Nixon."
Today's Speech 19.4 (1971): 3-13.
Fantasy-Theme Criticism 6
In the event that these are proven true; they would validate the potential vice president as
immoral, dishonest, and engaged in many irregularities. They would see him as a disloyal citizen
who is not a patriot. However, this fails to be the case. The candidate picks all the allegations
against him step by step. He analyzes them with what seems true and honest. In addressing the
theme of an American patriot, he appeals to the patriotic elements of the audience. In solving the
issues relating to the American Dream, he proves that his life has been actually about the
American Dream. Finally, in proving that he is a role model, the rhetor indicates beyond any
reasonable doubt in his speech, that by actions, he has complied with the two previous themes;
thus qualifies to be a role model for the society. To be specific about the fantasy themes within
the context of this artifact, the thematic thesis involves the attacks against Nixon while thematic
antithesis involves the Nixon response to his attackers.
Conclusion
The rhetorical vision that came out through the fantasy themes is that Nixon represents a
patriot, an ideal American and a person of high moral character. Therefore, three fantasy themes
emerged from his speech, which includes Nixon as Patriot, American Dream, and as the Moral
Model. In all, the artifact satisfies the contexts of rhetorical fantasy-theme criticism and analysis.
It is a rhetorical piece, and the answers given by the rhetor raise the expected fantasy themes.
Fantasy-Theme Criticism 7
Bibliography
Benoit, William L. "The Genesis of Rhetorical Action." Southern Communication Journal, vol 59,
no. 4, 1994, pp. 342-355. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/10417949409372953.
Bormann, Ernest G. "Fantasy and Rhetorical Vision: The Rhetorical Criticism of Social Reality."
Quarterly Journals of Speech 58.4 (1972): 396-407.
Foss, Sonja K. Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration & Practice. 4th ed. Long Grove, IL: Waveland
Press, 2009.
Gonchar, Ruth M., and Dan F. Hahn. "The Rhetorical Predictability of Richard M. Nixon." Today's
Speech 19.4 (1971): 3-13.
Nixon, Richard. Six Crises. New York: Doubleday & Company, 1962.

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