Poetry and Power Kennedy's Speech Analysis

In Kennedy's well known speech entitled “Poetry and Power,” he proclaimed that a successful nation has a number of defining characteristics including military strength, moral strength, wealth, wisdom, etc. (Kennedy). While it is true that a nation’s greatness includes wealth, military strength, and power, I maintain that the most important element is the citizens’ sense of purpose, or motivation.

It is true that wealth, military strength, and power are essential to building a powerful and strong empire. Military strength and power are primarily for protection against other competing nations, and wealth is essential for the long-term health of an economy. Without wealth, we wouldn’t have technology, or any other developments making us an advanced nation. Many nations, whether good or bad, have succeeded with a strong armed force and money to sustain the people.

However, having power and wealth and not knowing what to do with it can also be fatal to an empire. Showcasing the dreadful aftermaths of war and military weapons, The series of paintings, “The Course of Empire,” illustrates yet another reason military power or money isn’t all a nation needs to be truly great. Many people’s view point of a “great nation” depends on not just the power, but the morals and wisdom of the citizens. In the reading “Walden,” Henry Thoreau compares human battles to merely unnecessary ant fights. In comparing the human and ant battles,  he says, “I observed two large ants…fiercely contending one another…I had my feelings excited and harrowed by witnessing the struggle, the ferocity and carnage, of a human battle before my door.” (Thoreau). It just goes to show us how even though people may have the weapons, tools, and wealth to become great, it’s worth almost nothing if you don’t use them wisely, or for the right purposes.

So I maintain that the citizens’ sense of purpose is more important for a successful nation than wealth, military strength, or power. All nations, including ours, had started out small, and due to the sheer perseverance of a group or society, many ended up powerful and wealthy. Strength and power are actually more of an aftermath of determination. One picture depicting how far we have come from our beginnings as mere colonies is “American Progress.” (Gast). It is clear that we have gotten this far with perseverance, not just guns and other tools. In “The Great Nation of Futurity,” the American belief in manifest destiny is described. John O’ Sullivan says confidently, “America is destined for better deeds. It is our unparalleled glory that we have no reminiscences of battle fields, but in defence of humanity, of the oppressed of all nations, of the rights of conscience, the rights of personal enfranchisement.” (O’ Sullivan). It is said that this idea of manifest destiny motivated American expansion, and the wars that came with it. Because of this belief, willpower and a sense of purpose were created, which drove the citizens and their leaders to expand the nation. 

This is significant because it is important to value and appreciate our nation’s characteristics. Passion, unity, and our favorable moralities are just a few of the numerous principles that make our nation truly great. These concepts are applicable to not just a national extent, but also on a personal level.