Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Tryst With Destiny “ is gracious, politically correct and dramatic in Nehru’s usual style. A rhetorical analysis reveals the varying degrees with which Nehru employs logos, pathos and ethos- the strong use of ethos and pathos compensate for the lack of logos in the speech which keeping in mind the target audience and the timing of the speech does not particularly affect the narrative adversely. Nehru uses pathos excellently, and the fact that he was such an integral part of the freedom struggle strengthens his use of ethos.[1]
In his speech delivered on the night of India’s independence, Nehru delivers a vivid picture of India’s historical greatness and expresses his hope for an equally great, if not greater future for India forged by the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters and the labor of new India’s citizens. His speech serves as a call to arms for the Indian people to work towards rebuilding an India destroyed by the British; it is a pledge by India’s leaders to secure peace and prosperity for a newly born country that had just thrown off the yoke of a rule that had lasted over two hundred years. The very opening words of Nehru’s speech- “India’s tryst with destiny” are imbibed with the poetic flair that is characteristic of Nehru’s speeches and writing. The words that follow- “Redeem our pledge” set the tone for the rest of the speech where the idea of service to the nation and the fulfillment of the promises made by the Indian National Congress are continually reiterated. Nehru’s speech oscillates between optimism and caution as he celebrates the achievement of freedom but simultaneously laments that it is “not wholly or in full measure” referring to the bloody partition between India and Pakistan. His use of pathos is particularly keen as he states- “Old to the new, when an age ends when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.”[2] This evokes memories of the suppression of Indian culture and spirit, the Indian “soul” by the British. The conclusion of the first paragraph of the speech widens the scope of the target audience from the Indian people to a global audience, and the dedication to the cause of humanity is a skillful use of ethos.
In the next two paragraphs India’s ascension to freedom is commented upon. There is the typical personification of India as a female considered as “mother” that is common in Indian literature. There is a sense of magnanimity and urgency to this part of the speech that climaxes in the form of urging to be brave and wise and further the cause of Indian glory. Here it can be observed that Nehru indulges in a continued rhetoric of certain words such as “freedom”, “work” and “future,” in order to emphasize and draw attention to these key aspects of his narrative. The use of varying contrasting devices- “While the world sleeps, India will awake-“ and “trackless centuries.” is also made liberally.
A significant part of the speech is used to simply repeat the ideas of service and the labor that would be needed to restore India to its former glory. This is made clear by the repeated use of terms such as “labor”, “work” and “incessant striving.” Nehru alludes to Mahatma Gandhi as “The greatest man of their generation” as his personal admiration for Mahatma Gandhi finds public expression. The mention of Mahatma Gandhi, a greatly revered figure by the public and his many struggles is also made to appeal to the sympathy of the Indian public and to coax a sympathetic response from them. The use of “we” and “our” through the speech creates a sense of togetherness and inspires collective dedication- a subtle usage of ethos. The speech contains several metaphors and makes liberal use of imagery. [3]
In the latter part of the speech, Nehru warns against petty discrimination and divisive criticism alluding to the problems of caste, race and religion that have haunted India for centuries. Considering that this speech during the bloody partition riots, it can also be interpreted as a plea to the Indian people to stop the fighting. He warns against the dangers of communalism and narrow mindedness, using figures of speech reminiscent to Rabindranath Tagore’s “Where The Mind Is Without Fear.” Though there is no explicit mention of Mahatma Gandhi, his ideas and policies are continually referred to. [4]
The latter part of the speech uses a great deal of imagery and metaphor while simultaneously evoking pathos as Nehru mourns for the lost martyrs of the freedom struggle. He calls the citizens of Pakistan his “Brothers and sisters,” in keeping with the ideal of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam that Gandhi espoused. There is a slight jab to Pakistan as Nehru laments of his lost Pakistani brothers and sisters who cannot share in India’s freedom despite Pakistan also having achieved independence on the very same day.
In the end Nehru pledges personal devotion and service to the cause of humanity and greets the rest of the world on behalf of the newly formed India and concludes with the anthem of every free Indian- Jai Hind. Though Nehru begins the essay by effectively persuading her readers of the need to build a greater India, it is in the end that this speech truly shines in the effective use of ethos and pathos. The speech is in equal parts coaxing and demanding; optimistic and mournful. It is a classic example of the rhetorical devices required to move a large crowd of people of different origins and religions- a political masterstroke.
WORKS CITED
Dutta, Prabhash K. “15 August 1947: When Nehru Talked of Tryst with Destiny, Gandhi Warned New Ministers.” India Today, 15 Aug. 2017, www.indiatoday.in/india/story/august-15-1947-jawaharlal-nehru-mahatma-gandhi-70-years-freedom-1029671-2017-08-15.
Nehru . “Tryst with Destiny Speech Made by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru.” Indian National Congress, 15 Aug. 1945, www.inc.in/en/in-focus/tryst-with-destiny-speech-made-by-pt-jawaharlal-nehru.
Roberts, Stuart. “A Tryst with Destiny.” University of Cambridge, 26 Jan. 2018, www.cam.ac.uk/tryst_with_destiny#group-at-the-stroke-of-midnight-wkG9fziMJ0.
[1] Nehru . “Tryst with Destiny Speech Made by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru.” Indian National Congress, 15 Aug. 1945, www.inc.in/en/in-focus/tryst-with-destiny-speech-made-by-pt-jawaharlal-nehru
[2] Dutta, Prabhash K. “15 August 1947: When Nehru Talked of Tryst with Destiny, Gandhi Warned New Ministers.” India Today, 15 Aug. 2017, www.indiatoday.in/india/story/august-15-1947-jawaharlal-nehru-mahatma-gandhi-70-years-freedom-1029671-2017-08-15.
[3] Roberts, Stuart. “A Tryst with Destiny.” University of Cambridge, 26 Jan. 2018, www.cam.ac.uk/tryst_with_destiny#group-at-the-stroke-of-midnight-wkG9fziMJ0.
[4] Dutta, Prabhash K. “15 August 1947: When Nehru Talked of Tryst with Destiny, Gandhi Warned New Ministers.” India Today, 15 Aug. 2017, www.indiatoday.in/india/story/august-15-1947-jawaharlal-nehru-mahatma-gandhi-70-years-freedom-1029671-2017-08-15.
About the Author
This piece has been submitted by Aparajita Agnihotri. She’s a nineteen year old law student and writer. She loves literature and especially adores anything in the Fantasy genre. She has learnt from the best- Man Booker Shortlisted writer Louise Dean and Writing Coach Steve Adams.
Connect with Aparajita via email.