Dramitism of Kenneth Burke This brief video of former president, George W. Bush, is a valid example of Kenneth Burke’s Dramatism. Speaking directly towards the UN and its supporters, Bush follows Burke’s theoretical formula in understanding one’s ultimate motive within the use of language and its messages. The supporting elements of Aristotle’s Rhetoric theory were based primarily on the means of persuasion. As Burke notes Aristotle’s “old rhetoric” places “stress upon deliberative design,” whereas the “new rhetoric,” implements the concept of identification and the possibility of “partially unconscious factors in its appeal” (Griffin 330). There are three parts to Burke’s Dramatism that are vital to his communication theory and its means of understanding a speaker’s underlying motivation; identification, the dramatistic pentad, and the guilt-redemption cycle. Burke’s idea of identification “is the common ground that exists between speaker and audience” (Griffin 330). Human characteristics, backgrounds, beliefs and values are prime examples of common interests shared between individuals. Both style and language content are analyzed by the audience further determine what they believe is the truth behind the message. This attempt at persuasion demonstrates why it is vital for any speaker to establish a strong connection with listeners by any means possible from the very start. As seen in the media clip, Bush identifies with the UN and other multi-lateral organizations “who share the common goal of a “world that is more secure, and more prosperous, and more hopeful.” He then furthers his connection by stating that the International community is nearing universal agreement on truth.” Do you believe that the former president identifies with his audience enough for them to come in to an agreement with such truths? The dramatistic pentad focuses on the attempts made by the speaker to persuade the audiences’ judgment; essentially, it is the analysis of “how the speaker tries to do it” (Griffin 331). Composed into “the five pronged method,” Burke addresses the elements of human drama: act, scene, agent, agency, and purpose. In other words, “the dramanistic pentad is deceptively similar to the journalistic standard of who, what, where, when, why, and how” (Griffin 331). Based on Bush’s public address to the UN and other multi-lateral organizations to take action in the fight against terrorism, the agents are the members of such groups. The scene is at the UN conference where international leaders and public officials come together to hear the former president’s global address. The agency is Bush’s demand for “acting together to meet the fundamental challenge of our time,” and developing a “closer cooperation to keep terrorist attacks from happening.” Finally, the purpose is to generate a worldwide response “by taking an unequivocal moral stand against terrorism.” Burke suggests that by comparing the speaker’s emphasis and importance placed on one or more of these elements, one can critique and understand the speaker’s motive. What do you believe was the former president’s underlying motive? The third and final phase in Burke’s theory is the guilt-redemption cycle. According to Burke, guilt refers to all emotions inherent in human nature. In his harsh Definition of Man, he designates that “man is the symbol-using inventor of negative, separated from his natural condition by instruments, goaded by the spirit if hierarchy, and rotten with perfection” (Griffin 333). With this understanding, Burke justifies that every man has the ability to create and use language negatively, most often due to new technologies and the desire to be above the rest. Bush says that this mission requires “clarity of vision and we must see the terrorists for what they are, ruthless extremists who exploit the desperate, subvert the tenants of a great religion who seek to impose their will on as many people as possible.” This negative criticism is an example of what Burke specifies as redemption through victimage, the “process of designating an external enemy as the source of all ills” (Griffin 335). If the speaker can establish this same emotion amongst listeners, persuasion then becomes an easier task. There are come critics who believe that Burke’s Dramatism is a somewhat confusing, communication theory. Too often his thoughts are censured for his choice of vocabulary, the most controversial representation being his guilt-redemption motivation. Do you agree that Burke uses religious language to distinguish his views? If not, are there any other criticisms that you have in understanding Burke’s theory?
In response to Burke’s Dramatism Theory according to Becca, I agree that there are some valid points made within the clip of Bush’s speech chosen to represent Burke’s Theory. In terms of identification, if it is the common ground that exists between the speaker and their audience, I would say there is probably somewhat of a barrier that exists between Bush and his audience. I do not feel that there is much that Bush can identify with at this time with his audience to persuade them to come into agreement with one another. In terms of Burke’s dramatism, I only see the lack of identification, which leads to the lack of persuasion as discussed by Burke (Griffin 290).
As far as the dramatistic pentad goes, I believe Bush’s underlying motive for his speech was to persuade the UN to back up his defense of the Middle East in the fight against terrorism. Seeing as Bush does not have much support on the American end, I can see why he would need the support of the UN to not only try to fight against terrorism, but fight for his decision in the first place to enter into the Middle East. As far as Burke’s theory goes, I believe that Bush identified most with the Agency portion of Burke’s pentad theory, seeing as he had that “get-the-job-done” kind of attitude to his speech” (Griffin 292).
In terms of the guilt-redemption cycle, Griffin says that guilt is all emotion inherent in human nature. In regards to Bush’s speech, I think that Bush had a lot of guilt going into this speech, which is why he made the speech in the first place, and needed to persuade the UN to fight for his side. Guilt is also seen as anxiety, embarrassment, shame, and so on (Griffin 292), and Bush had many of these traits throughout his presidency. All in all I feel that this speech was very much connected to Burke’s Dramatism Theory. Although confusing at times, I do believe that much of what Burke says does apply to society today, especially many of the personality traits in people in everyday situations, such as Bush in this speech.
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Dramitism of Kenneth Burke
This brief video of former president, George W. Bush, is a valid example of Kenneth Burke’s Dramatism. Speaking directly towards the UN and its supporters, Bush follows Burke’s theoretical formula in understanding one’s ultimate motive within the use of language and its messages.
The supporting elements of Aristotle’s Rhetoric theory were based primarily on the means of persuasion. As Burke notes Aristotle’s “old rhetoric” places “stress upon deliberative design,” whereas the “new rhetoric,” implements the concept of identification and the possibility of “partially unconscious factors in its appeal” (Griffin 330). There are three parts to Burke’s Dramatism that are vital to his communication theory and its means of understanding a speaker’s underlying motivation; identification, the dramatistic pentad, and the guilt-redemption cycle.
Burke’s idea of identification “is the common ground that exists between speaker and audience” (Griffin 330). Human characteristics, backgrounds, beliefs and values are prime examples of common interests shared between individuals. Both style and language content are analyzed by the audience further determine what they believe is the truth behind the message. This attempt at persuasion demonstrates why it is vital for any speaker to establish a strong connection with listeners by any means possible from the very start. As seen in the media clip, Bush identifies with the UN and other multi-lateral organizations “who share the common goal of a “world that is more secure, and more prosperous, and more hopeful.” He then furthers his connection by stating that the International community is nearing universal agreement on truth.” Do you believe that the former president identifies with his audience enough for them to come in to an agreement with such truths?
The dramatistic pentad focuses on the attempts made by the speaker to persuade the audiences’ judgment; essentially, it is the analysis of “how the speaker tries to do it” (Griffin 331). Composed into “the five pronged method,” Burke addresses the elements of human drama: act, scene, agent, agency, and purpose. In other words, “the dramanistic pentad is deceptively similar to the journalistic standard of who, what, where, when, why, and how” (Griffin 331). Based on Bush’s public address to the UN and other multi-lateral organizations to take action in the fight against terrorism, the agents are the members of such groups. The scene is at the UN conference where international leaders and public officials come together to hear the former president’s global address. The agency is Bush’s demand for “acting together to meet the fundamental challenge of our time,” and developing a “closer cooperation to keep terrorist attacks from happening.” Finally, the purpose is to generate a worldwide response “by taking an unequivocal moral stand against terrorism.” Burke suggests that by comparing the speaker’s emphasis and importance placed on one or more of these elements, one can critique and understand the speaker’s motive. What do you believe was the former president’s underlying motive?
The third and final phase in Burke’s theory is the guilt-redemption cycle. According to Burke, guilt refers to all emotions inherent in human nature. In his harsh Definition of Man, he designates that “man is the symbol-using inventor of negative, separated from his natural condition by instruments, goaded by the spirit if hierarchy, and rotten with perfection” (Griffin 333). With this understanding, Burke justifies that every man has the ability to create and use language negatively, most often due to new technologies and the desire to be above the rest. Bush says that this mission requires “clarity of vision and we must see the terrorists for what they are, ruthless extremists who exploit the desperate, subvert the tenants of a great religion who seek to impose their will on as many people as possible.” This negative criticism is an example of what Burke specifies as redemption through victimage, the “process of designating an external enemy as the source of all ills” (Griffin 335). If the speaker can establish this same emotion amongst listeners, persuasion then becomes an easier task.
There are come critics who believe that Burke’s Dramatism is a somewhat confusing, communication theory. Too often his thoughts are censured for his choice of vocabulary, the most controversial representation being his guilt-redemption motivation. Do you agree that Burke uses religious language to distinguish his views? If not, are there any other criticisms that you have in understanding Burke’s theory?
In response to Burke’s Dramatism Theory according to Becca, I agree that there are some valid points made within the clip of Bush’s speech chosen to represent Burke’s Theory. In terms of identification, if it is the common ground that exists between the speaker and their audience, I would say there is probably somewhat of a barrier that exists between Bush and his audience. I do not feel that there is much that Bush can identify with at this time with his audience to persuade them to come into agreement with one another. In terms of Burke’s dramatism, I only see the lack of identification, which leads to the lack of persuasion as discussed by Burke (Griffin 290).
As far as the dramatistic pentad goes, I believe Bush’s underlying motive for his speech was to persuade the UN to back up his defense of the Middle East in the fight against terrorism. Seeing as Bush does not have much support on the American end, I can see why he would need the support of the UN to not only try to fight against terrorism, but fight for his decision in the first place to enter into the Middle East. As far as Burke’s theory goes, I believe that Bush identified most with the Agency portion of Burke’s pentad theory, seeing as he had that “get-the-job-done” kind of attitude to his speech” (Griffin 292).
In terms of the guilt-redemption cycle, Griffin says that guilt is all emotion inherent in human nature. In regards to Bush’s speech, I think that Bush had a lot of guilt going into this speech, which is why he made the speech in the first place, and needed to persuade the UN to fight for his side. Guilt is also seen as anxiety, embarrassment, shame, and so on (Griffin 292), and Bush had many of these traits throughout his presidency. All in all I feel that this speech was very much connected to Burke’s Dramatism Theory. Although confusing at times, I do believe that much of what Burke says does apply to society today, especially many of the personality traits in people in everyday situations, such as Bush in this speech.
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