World War II left Europe devastated. The Nazi tyranny, unstoppable in its surge of power, left Europe ruined and put many countries in a state of bankruptcy. In the “King’s Speech” by King George VI, he seeks to commemorate all those who lost their lives fighting for their country’s freedom and to mark a new beginning of peace. World War II finally ended from 1939 to 1945. Hitler committed suicide, and the Germans surrendered. All the British people were celebrating the end of the war but at the same time mourning those who had lost their lives fighting for the freedom of their country and its citizens.
The United Kingdom suffered greatly as a nation during the war. German bombings destroyed large parts of London and many other cities. The economy diminished, men went to war and women were left to do their work creating ammunition for the soldiers, caring for the injured patients in hospitals and working in factories. Ships filled with supplies were destroyed by German submarines causing a famine in Britain (“Britain and World War”). The war left a large amount of Britain in rubble, a large amount of Britain in famine, and a large amount of its people having lost their lives.
Three hundred and eighty-eight thousand British servicemen and women lost their lives (“Britain and World War”). In the first two paragraphs of “The King’s speech”, King George addresses the Nation asking them to join him in the act of thanksgiving. He speaks briefly about the crucial victory against the Germans and the growing threat of the Japanese which he describes with spiteful diction, as a “cruel” foe (George). Portraying the Japanese as a cruel foe, King George’s goal is to confront the British people about the reality that the Japanese still have an unwanted presence in the Middle East and are not to be overlooked.
He refers to the war as a “dreadful shadow” halting Britain from advancing economically but, now it has passed and the country can focus on the act of thanksgiving to illustrate how awful war was. King George goes on to speak about the suffering, his gratitude and the commemoration for those who lost their lives fighting in the war: Let us remember those who will not come back: their constancy and courage in battle, their sacrifice and endurance in the face of merciless enemy; let us remember the men in all the services, and the women in all the services, who laid down their lives.
We have come to the end ofour tribulation and they are not with us at the moment of our rejoicing. ” (George) The words “let us remember” commemorates those who gave their lives for their country, and he highlights their “constancy” and “courage” in order to show his respect to the brave soldiers. The repetition of “let us remember” continues, stating that the courageous efforts in the face of a “merciless” enemy will forever be remembered, and never be forgotten (George). Conjoining the next two paragraphs, King George adds pathos to his speech by acknowledging the efforts put in place by every man and women.
He speaks about the “men and women” (George) who have fought and endured to the utmost fighting the cruel Nazi forces. The quotation demonstrates that it wasn’t only the men that played a vital part in the war. Women contributed notably in the defeat against the German forces. King George leads on to commemorate those who lost their lives and to shed light on how the whole of Europe was looking to them in hope. He uses the inclusive pronoun “our” to show his recognition: “our freedom”, “our independence”, “our very existence” (George).
This highlights everyone’s contribution, the vital parts they played, and the fact everything was at stake for them and the whole of Europe. In the passage he also explains how defending themselves was not only for them in Britain, but that they were also defending the “liberties of the world” (George). Backing up his point King George describes how the valiant efforts weren’t only for the nation, not only for the Empire and Commonwealth, but for every town, city and country where freedom is nourished and “law and liberty go hand in hand” (George).
The metaphor describes what is to come in the near future. Since the war is over, society can flourish back to life after the long and tremulous disruption from the war. The repetition of “we kept faith” (George) resounds his continuum of the commemoration. This is to display the courage, faith and unity demonstrated by the British in “the darkest hour” (George) and at times where the dangers seemed overwhelming. Throughout the next paragraph, King George aims to express the need to restore the nation back to former glory, using metaphors and diction to portray this.
He speaks about the country’s state after the “ravages of war”, using diction “peace” and “sanity” to display the urgency to restore order once again, back from a “shattered world” (George). The metaphor “fortified by success” demonstrates how after the long, bitter war against the germans (George). They will still have courage to deal with their last remaining enemy in the Middle East, the Japanese. A great deal of pathos is used, stating “The Queen and I know the ordeals which you have endure” (George). His goal is to speak about the suffering many citizens had to endure.
He also states how “[They] are proud” (George) to have faced horrors of Nazi tyranny in touch with the citizens, and proud to face the future with “stern resolve” (George). His goal is to add pathos and to express that it wasn’t only the poor, not so high class who suffered the most. It was also the King and Queen who felt the ordeals and hardship everyone had to endure. However, King George was proud to have withstood the torment together, and in the future, their will-power and vitality will be “inexhaustible” as a result (George).
Adding contrast, he expresses comfort from the thought of children growing up in a free land, instead of one ruled by Nazi tyranny, as a result from the passing years of “darkness” and “danger” (George). In the last two paragraph, King George concludes his speech and conveys what’s to come. He speaks about the urgency for everyone to relish the triumphant day, yet dwell in “proud sorrow” ( George). Pathos continues to sprout through to the end of the speech. In the desperate time of need they looked to the “hand of God” which trusted as their “Sword and shield” (George).
In the quote, King George’s goal, and final goal in the speech, shows that when in a time of need always look for some inspiration to pull you through. On the 2nd of September, 1942, King George gave a speech “The king’s Speech” which marked a triumphant day for Britain, for Europe, and in history. It marked the end of World War II and the crucial victory against the Nazi tyranny forces who had captured and overcome most of Europe. The speech established the turn of a new era. An era of peace and stability, but most of all, the gratitude for those who gave up their lives fighting for the freedom of their country.
