Rhetorical Analylsis May 29, 2007

Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America
Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm
Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today
My country 'tis of thee(Today)
Sweet land of liberty(today)
Of thee I sing(today)
Of thee I sing(today)

In this song Neil Diamond is addressing the current citizens of America. This is apparent by the use of his terminology “they’re”. Neil’s primary tool in persuading his audience is emotion. He is able to create a sense of compassion by describing some of the awful situations in which people come to America. His description of longing for freedom and being so grateful for the ability to come to America are very effective in his targeted audience. This is because many Americans have ancestors who went through so much in order to come here. Many people have sacrificed a lot for the principals of the United States and Neil uses the vivid imagery of refugee’s fleeing to America to remind people of the sacrifice made by such honest men and women. He is also able to appeal to his audience’s emotions because his audience is familiar with TV shows and newscasts which show in real life the plight of many refugees and people who have almost no freedom at all. The emotional appeal is essential in achieving his goal. In the song Diamond’s goal is to make people have more compassion and sympathy on those who are coming to our country for the first time. In this sense the emotional feelings he has created make his audience want to accept these people and help them. Another goal with the song is to help people remember how blessed they are to live in a free nation. Neil is excellent in this regard as well. His portrayal of America, the flag, and the American dream make those who have been born and raised in this country think more deeply about how much they truly cherish their freedoms.