A pentad analysis: Jeane J. Kirkpatrick at the United Nations.

摘要

The present study is a content analysis of thirteen speeches presented by Jeane Jordan Kirkpatrick while she served as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1981-1985. Seven of the speeches were made before the Security Council, five before the General Assembly, and once before the Economic and Social Council. Kenneth Burke's pentadic analysis provides a highly appropriate methodology through which to view Kirkpatrick's United Nations speeches. It assumes the existence and use of written texts. The dramatistic metaphor, which constitutes the basis of Burke's critical model, is widely used by political scientists and sociologists, as well as by rhetorical critics. The pentad serves as an organizing scheme to understand, explain, and to evaluate what speakers do and why they do it. The analyses indicate that Kirkpatrick associates most often with a pragmatic line of argument, incorporating a conservative view of the world. This is revealed through her frequent use of Burke's act-agency and agent-agency ratios. She weaves examples of proven occurrences throughout her rhetoric to support her conservative stance on most issues addressed during this period. In addition, the analysis reveal that Kirkpatrick's motive for speaking is to show support for United States allies, in particular, Israel. The appendix includes data from a DICTION analysis of three of Kirkpatrick's speeches. These results are inconclusive. This study serves as a base from which to branch out to continue further research on Kirkpatrick, other women speakers and other Permanent Representatives. In addition, the study can serve as a spring board for a comparison of political speakers in general.