Winston Churchill was by no means a master of the use of rhetoric. In his speech "We shall fight on the beaches," Churchill employs a huge amount of pathos in order to appeal to the patriotic spirit inhabiting the British people. The appeal to that of the audience is obvious. Picture the year 1940, Europe nothing more then a vast battle ground. The German Nazi party declared war on France and Britain. Nazi idealism spreading like wildfire, appearing to be unstoppable force taking over battle by battle. Churchill understood the situation exploding all around him. The British were out numbered, and still reeling from the loss of the Belgian army, and the impending surrender of France to Germany. Which would leave the island country alone in a time of such dark war. A storm was coming in. Giving Churchill the unfortunate duty of buckling down the hatchets and getting Britain's military strategies together. As well as under control, but also to ensure that the nation would endure through the Nazis rule. Churchill begins the speech by giving an abundance of facts on what went on in Dunkirk. This is firstly to inform , then to assure the people, and to appeal to their sense of intellect in a manner that doesn't demote them . This ploy shows his intellectualism without the issues of him being condescending in any way. .
The opening statements come off like that of a story, intriguing and disgusting the general public with the details. By talking about the significant moments, such as the air forces successful distraction of the Germans while the allied troops fled to safety is a clear use of persuasive logos. This start with the telling of it as a story is so vital to the layout of the speech and its success. Through vivid accounts to the audience, there is an opportunity to allow for sympathies for soldiers that were stranded at Dunkirk. There is this sense of fear, no of desperation, but also of duty.
