A Man Addressing his Son, and His Nation: A speech by John Cromwell

In 1952, John Cromwell addressed his son over the radio. Cromwell, a recognized actor and director, had been asked to speak about the philosophy by which he lived. When he left home at the age of 19 to pursue acting, his father began writing him letters on life-lessons; so, Cromwell decided to use the epistolary format to address his audience. This is an interesting choice of format to use when addressing a national audience because it is meant to address only one person. By choosing to speak to his son on a national broadcast Cromwell has brought in very personal ties; this response will work to determine why Cromwell choice this format by using Kinneavy's definitions and also analyzing the tone and voice inflections used by Cromwell when listening to his broadcast live.

First, it is important to not only read Cromwell's speech, but to also listen to him say the words from the actual broadcast. By listening to his emphasis on certain words, syllables and his pauses the text takes on a completely different meaning. Cromwell speaks about listening to the voice within and trusting that voice because it knows you best, but at the same time understanding the voice for that same reason. His speech is very "emotive" because it is used for the purpose of "individual satisfaction" (Kinneavy 300). It is "poetic" with its language because he chooses the emotive discourse to reach his audience (301). In his closing remarks to his son, Cromwell says that it is his "fervent hope" that his son will be a "discoverer" of himself and come as close as possible to "achieving happiness" (Cromwell 2). The emotion is apparent in his voice and that will draw the audience members into his speech if they are parents because all parents want their children to be happy.

To break Cromwell's speech even further down in Kinneavy's expections, this speech should be categorized as a dialogue to Cromwell's oldest son Jonathan. It is also a manifesto of sorts because Cromwell is providing his basic theory of life and living. It is individual because it is for himself and his son, but social also because of the large audience of listeners and the lesson the topic provides. Kinneavy's article points out that the audience must take into consideration that Cromwell could have just simply handed this letter to his son and be done with it (Kinneavy 297). They must think, why did Cromwell read it to us; why did he choose this delivery? Cromwell knew he had been reached and touched by the letters his father had given to him, so he knew it was a format that worked. Cromwell drew on his personal experience to share his philosophy. Cromwell is extremely personal and provides examples in his letter. He does not just list off his theories, he makes them relatable.

In conclusion, Cromwell speaks on his philosophy to by; he tells about learning to listen to his inner voice and learning about himself. He addresses his son, but he is really addressing his nation. He speaks to the nation not as a Hollywood actor know-it-all, but as a father who wants to help his son. He draws not on his glitz and glam, but on his hard learning experiences. Cromwell may never have in fact received letters from his father, but in his speech his audience will believe that he did and that he is letting them into a very personal part of his life. Cromwell is poetic and sincere and draws on emotions when he is giving a very opinionated speech.