Blog 5: Burke's Pentad

Apply the Dramatistic Pentad

Act: The primary act is the delivery of a speech by former president George W. Bush addressing the nation in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The speech aims to inform, reassure, and unite the American people, while condemning the attacks and setting the tone for the U.S. response to terrorism.

Scene: The speech takes place on the evening of September 11, 2001, in an atmosphere of grief, shock, and anger throughout the United States. The social and historical context is significant, as it follows an unprecedented terrorist attack on America, which disrupted the nation’s sense of security and unity.

Agent: The agent is former president George W. Bush, the leader of the United States and a representative voice for the American government and people at the time. His role as president gives him the authority to address the nation in times of crisis, making him a central figure in conveying strength, empathy, and resolve.

Agency: The agency, or method, is the formal, televised address. Bush uses this platform to reach a broad audience of U.S. citizens with carefully chosen language and a calm, authoritative tone. His rhetorical strategy includes emotionally charged phrases, vivid imagery, and a structured approach to instill hope and national unity.

Purpose: The purpose of the speech works on many levels: to condemn the terrorist acts, offer comfort to those grieving, reassure Americans of their security, and affirm the country’s resilience. Bush also seeks to rally the American people and signals to the national audience that the U.S. will take decisive action to seek justice.

Write a Short Analysis

President George W. Bush’s September 11, 2001, speech serves as a critical response to the tragic attacks, aimed at uniting and reassuring a shaken nation. The elements of Kenneth Burke’s Pentad — Act, Scene, Agent, Agency, and Purpose — interact here to convey messages of resilience and resolution. 

The Act, Bush’s speech, is a response to the attacks intended to provide guidance and stability. It becomes a key event in framing the attacks as a national crisis demanding solidarity and strength. The Scene, set on the evening of September 11, heightens the gravity of the speech. The backdrop of shock and grief shapes the urgency with which Bush speaks, emphasizing the need for collective action. 

The Agent, Bush himself, brings authority and reassurance. As former president, he embodies the response to tragedy, channeling both the grief and resolve of the nation. His role as a unifying leader shapes the Purpose of the speech: to condemn the attacks, honor the victims, and call for national resilience. This purpose reflects his motivation to maintain public and American morale.

Through the Agency of a televised address, Bush connects with a wide audience, choosing powerful language that contrasts American strength with the destructiveness of terrorism. This choice allows Bush’s words to reach millions, enhancing the speech’s immediate and lasting impact.

This analysis shows that the scene of national trauma and Bush’s role as a figure of authority strongly influence the speech’s purpose: to restore hope and prepare the nation for a firm response. The combination of these elements reinforces a message of unity and resilience, guiding the nation forward in a time of crisis.