explain and evaluate figurative language in ‘the duties of an american citizen’ by theodore roosevelt

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“The Duties of an American Citizen” by Theodore Roosevelt
“The Duties of an American Citizen” refers to a speech by Theodore Roosevelt, a former US president. President Roosevelt presented the speech in 1883 in Buffalo New York. The aim of the speech was to convince the people to perform their rightful duties as American citizens. The speaker employed figurative elements among others metaphors, similes, hyperbole and symbolism to convince the audience. In his speech, Roosevelt said that “The voice of the people is not always the voice of God; and when it happens to be the voice of the devil, then it is a man’s clear duty to defy its behests” (Roosevelt & Louis 13) The statement portrays the voice of God as the best thing a person can hear. Here, he creates a link between two voices that is God and people and although they are not similar, a link is formed in the leaders’ mind. The intensity of the people’s actions is stressed through the metaphor.
Roosevelt calls the members of the Congress blind partisan which is figurative. An artisan uses the eyes to make their objects and relating the people’s congress and this amount to hyperbole. The statement is an exaggeration on the insignificant role played by the Congress in the country (Roosevelt & Louis 14). The writer applies simile by saying that you can be as successful as a lawyer or banker. A comparison is used between success and certain careers. The comparison is used to also indirectly compare how important fulfillment of citizen’s duties is key to the success of an American.

The terms “a racing-yacht is like a good rifle” amounts to symbolism (Roosevelt & Louis 15). In this case, yatch is equated to a riffle. It is apparent that the riffles speed is very high the speech compares that speed to the urge of the people to take part in their duties.
Work Cited
Roosevelt, Theodore, and Louis Auchincloss. Theodore Roosevelt: Letters and Speeches. New York: Library of America, 2004.