Speeches

The book of speeches I am currently reading is so much heavier than the last.  The last one was like having dessert first.  It gave the background of the author and had limited speeches.  This book I am reading now is really thick and heavy going.
The first speech is by a guy called Pericles extoling the glory of Greece at the funeral of its fallen sons.  It seems it does not matter if it was in ancient times or more modern speeches for the war dead, they are the same. 
I intend writing something for the next ANZAC day based on what I am reading.  That is my intention, but anything could happen.  Therefore, I will not state that I will, but only that I intend to.
This book is put together by a guy called William Safire and is called “Lend Me Your Ears.”  It is divided up into sections.  Section six is Gallows and Farewell Speeches.  Section ten is Speeches of Social Responsibility.  He admits the book is heavy.  He refers to its weight but acknowledges that by heavy he is talking about the contents.  He calls the book “meat and potatoes,” “oral communication in context, human persuasion in action.”   I got that was the case when I read words I had never heard.  If I am lucky the context gives some idea of the meaning, otherwise it is a look up what that means moment.  I say if I am lucky as there are times I need to scamper to the dictionary.
I did find the preface really interesting.  He listed the ten items that define a good speech.  He stated not all speeches are by nature good.  What he listed were: welcome, structure, pulse, forum, focus, phrase, purpose, theme, trip words, delivery.
Talk about embarrassing.  An American President was giving a speech and thought he would say something in the native tongue of the audience.   He thought he was saying “I have longed to be with you.”  Really he said “I have carnally desired to be with you.”  A word changed the meaning big time.  I am sure the speech was good, but that is what is remembered.
Goodness knows why I am reading this book.  I have a highlighter pen and highlight what I consider are gems.  For example, I have highlighted “a nation truly great cannot but excel in arts as well as arms.”  The speech then lists other ways a nation shows itself great, but I have highlighted the next sentence.  “All these are the fruits, but they are not the tree.”
At least I get something out of the stuff.  It being a book, I reckon others have too.