Social Constructionism A Discourse Analysis Essay Research

Social Constructionism A Discourse Analysis Essay, Research Paper

DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

This discourse analysis attempts to answer several questions regarding Chairman Hyde s speech against the president. Firstly an attempt has been made to uncover some of the more prevalent themes and discourses in the hope that they will give some kind of enlightenment of American society and culture. Secondly, this analysis describes the many ways in which Chairman Hyde attempts to persuade his audience of his cause. The portrayed image of President Clinton is then focused on, and finally there is a discussion relating to the various social codes implied within Hyde s speech. It has been found that many of these areas overlap to a greater or lesser degree. However it is believed that the four questions should be answered separately at the risk of sounding repetitive, as this gives the reader a chance to identify and understand how ideas and themes can serve quite different purposes when expressed in different contexts and discourses, and with particular motivations.

Throughout the summation of Hyde s case against the president, he draws upon several prevalent discourses. These act as an influential basis for his argument, designed to appeal specifically to other members of the senate, the counsel for the president and the chief justice. Secondly, and more importantly these discourses allow us some insight into an idealised conception of American history, political climate and culture. They represent a popular conception of the foundations of white, middle class America. Throughout the analysis, we must remember that Chairman Hyde implicitly speaks of the discourses within a tangled web of bias and intent. I am extremely sceptical as to the validity of these themes and discourses as active mentalities or social constructs within contemporary American society. Rather I believe they express an idealistic dream or goal that particularly politicians would like to believe is the foundation of American society.

Expressed throughout Hyde s argument is an unmentioned yet strong sense of nationalism. He immediately starts out with a romanticised image of America s history. He asks the question whether America can long endure while being dedicated to liberty and equality. (para 1, p.1) There are military connotations throughout the speech, which allude to a righteous fighting spirit in American history, which succeeded in gaining independence and fighting back the worldwide threat of communism and other totalitarian regimes. All of this portrays a tradition of historic and patriotic nationalism based within principles of freedom, equality and liberty.

With almost religious overtones, Hyde speaks of America s intuitive sacred honour (para 8, p.2) based in the declaration of independence. This sacred honour effectively represents the two major discourses within the speech including the nationalism discussed above and the influence of religion. Religion is the next major theme, which leads to an underlying discourse of morality. Religion promotes a sense of objective truth, morality and meaning within the world relying on faith as a kind of epistemology.

This is directly parallel to the sense of morality within dominant American culture that Hyde implicitly regurgitates throughout his argument. Just as Christianity promotes belief in a moral system through the bible, so Hyde promotes a belief in a moral and political system represented by the constitution. He speaks about transcendent truths and the judgement of God (para 10, p.2) suggesting a kind of positivist discourse relying on concrete rights and wrongs. He expresses a moral absolutism that ignores the extreme diversity of human existence and the diversity of a situation or context in which moral decisions must be made. When this moral absolutism is coupled with a sense of national and religious duty, we can see a powerful tool of persuasion.

These classical religious, moralistic and nationalistic discourses tie in and bind lesser themes and discourses under a banner standing for what Hyde sees as the American house of freedom (para 9, p.2). Having concentrated on these discourses we can see the basis for a discourse of justice. Freedom, truth, liberty and justice are said to mean the same things for all people. Similarly these abstract and philosophical concepts can supposedly be delivered to everyone on an equal basis through the use of the American political system.

A discourse of sacrifice and responsibility is also implied. By identifying the many wars in which America has fought, to supposedly uphold the tradition of freedom and liberty throughout the world, Hyde shows us the apparent sacrifice that thousands of American s have made. Hyde strongly idealises and glorifies the soldier s role within the wars in order to express to the Senate their responsibility towards maintaining the same principles. There is also expressed, a responsibility for the youth, the families and people of America. Hyde numerously mentions the bond of trust (para 23, p.4) and the necessity of trust (para 18, p.4). The people must be able to trust their leaders and the system they promote. While many would say that trust in politicians is an outdated notion, the optimistic and sincere approach of Hyde s argument betrays his nostalgic historical idealism

Chairman Henry Hyde uses several techniques to