C301 MAE #5
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California State University, Long Beach *
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301
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Communications
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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1. Provide a concise (3–5 sentences) vivid descriptive summary of this video that uses precise
and illustrative language to describe key elements of its substance and style.
In the YouTube video “
Greta Thunberg to world leaders: 'How dare you? You have stolen my
dreams and my childhood'” environmental activist Greta Thunberg passionately addresses
world leaders at the United Nations climate action summit in 2019 and she delivers a piercing
indictment of their inaction on climate change. Thunberg's delivery is marked by a potent
blend of righteous anger and poignant vulnerability, with her voice carrying the weight of a
generation's frustration surrounding the global climate crisis. The video encapsulates the
urgency of her message as she confronts leaders with the stark reality of the environmental
crisis, using evocative language that resonates deeply with viewers, making it a powerful call
to action.
2. Analyze how Thunberg constructs her first and second persona in this speech.
In her address to the United Nations world leaders, Greta Thunberg constructs her first and
second persona to convey
a compelling and emotionally charged message and persuade the
world leaders and viewers to take action for the betterment of the environment. Thunberg
constructs her first persona as a frustrated and impassioned advocate for climate change. Her
tone is characterized by righteous anger, as she explicitly accuses world leaders of stealing
her dreams and childhood through their inaction on climate change. Thunberg emphasizes her
sincerity and personal investment in the cause, framing herself as a symbol of the collective
frustration and urgency felt by her peers.The emotional intensity in her voice and expressions
effectively conveys the gravity of the situation, creating a sense of urgency that deeply
resonates with viewers.
Greta Thunberg constructs her second persona as a vulnerable and betrayed youth who is
directly affected by the inaction of world leaders surrounding climate change. Through her
candid and unfiltered expressions of disappointment, she reveals her personal stake in the
issue. This vulnerability enhances the authenticity of her message, making it relatable to a
wide audience. By sharing her own sense of loss and betrayal, she invites the audience to
empathize with the human impact of climate change, transcending statistics and scientific
jargon to connect on a deeply emotional level. Thunberg’s ideal audience is one characterized
by individuals who are receptive to moral urgency, empathetic to the human impact of
climate change, and open to taking immediate and substantial action to address the
environmental crisis. Her ideal audience would value authenticity, respond to a sense of
shared responsibility, and be motivated by a deep concern for the ethical implications of
inaction on climate change for future generations.
3. Apply the pentad to Thunberg's speech. Clearly label each element
and
analyze how
Thunberg constructs each. As you analyze, identify significant terministic screens and/or
framing choices.
Burke’s pentad consists of five elements: act, agent, scene, purpose, and agency. This pentad
can be applied to Greta Thunberg’s speech to the United Nations. The act asks what
happened, and according to Thunberg, world leaders who make prominent decisions
regarding climate change are failing to address them in an adequate way. Thunberg accuses
the world leaders of stealing her dreams and her childhood–her
choice of the word "stealing"
is a powerful framing choice, emphasizing the perceived moral wrongdoing of leaders'
inaction.
The agent asks who performed their act and what are their characteristics. For
Thunberg, the agents are the world leaders who are responsible for
her perceived loss of
dreams and childhood due to their selfishness and inaction. Thunberg's framing positions
world leaders as selfish, neglectful and accountable for the consequences of climate change,
using strong language and a forceful presence to convey a sense of moral responsibility. The
scene asks where and when did that act occur, and in this context, the act occurs in the
context of global climate negotiations and international forums. Thunberg's emphasis on the
urgency of the climate crisis frames the scene as a critical moment that demands immediate
attention and action.
The purpose asks why the act happened, according to the rhetor. Thunberg's purpose is to call
attention to the severity of the climate crisis, to hold leaders accountable for their inaction,
and to motivate them to take immediate and substantial measures to address climate change.
The demanding tone, urgency of her language, and emotional appeal implies a moral purpose,
emphasizing the ethical imperative of addressing climate change for the sake of future
generations. Last, the agency asks how or what enabled the act to happen, according to the
rhetor. Thunberg suggests that the act of stealing dreams and childhood was done through
inaction and insufficient measures to combat climate change. Thunberg frames world leaders
as selfish and neglectful–her emphasis on leaders' inaction frames it as a deliberate choice
and a moral failing, reinforcing her call for urgent and meaningful action. Greta Thunberg’s
strategic use of language, such as framing climate inaction as "stealing dreams," underscores
the moral dimension of the issue and reinforces her overarching purpose of urging immediate
action. The urgency she conveys aligns with her belief in the moral responsibility of leaders
and the global community to address the climate crisis swiftly and decisively.
4. Which pentadic element is dominant in Thunberg's speech? Analyze how Thunberg's
construction of this element influences the way she constructs 2–3 other elements.
The dominant pentadic element in Greta Thunberg’s address to the United Nations is the act.
hunberg's accusation that world leaders have "stolen my dreams and my childhood" is a
central and emotionally charged act that shapes the entire discourse. The act significantly
influences the agent, scene, and agency. The act is attributed to world leaders, positioning
them as the agents responsible for the perceived wrongdoing. Thunberg uses strong and
accusatory language to create a sense of accountability, portraying leaders as neglectful
custodians of the planet and traitors of the younger generation. Thunberg's framing of the act
as the theft of dreams and childhood sets the scene as a global stage, emphasizing the urgency
and gravity of the situation. The scene is not just a physical location; it becomes a crucial
moment in time demanding immediate attention and action. The agency, or how the act was
done, is characterized by Thunberg as a result of leaders' inaction and inadequate response to
the climate crisis. By framing the agency in this way, she implies that the act was not
accidental but a consequence of deliberate choices made by those in power. The way
Thunberg constructs her speech shapes the climate change narrative by framing the urgency
of the climate crisis in deeply personal and moral terms. This framing is designed to elicit
emotional responses from the audience, emphasizing the immediate need for accountability
and decisive action to address the global environmental challenges at hand.
5. In 1–3 concise sentence(s), summarize how Thunberg frames the problem of climate
change. What does this framing suggest about Thunberg's underlying worldview, and what
does this framing attempt to persuade world leaders and members of the public to do?
Greta Thunberg frames the problem of climate change as a dire and imminent threat to her
generation's future, accusing world leaders of stealing her and other youths’ dreams and
childhood through their inaction, suggesting an urgent and morally charged perspective. This
framing reflects Thunberg's worldview that prioritizes the immediate need for drastic
environmental action, aiming to persuade leaders and the public to recognize the personal and
ethical dimensions of the crisis, urging them to take immediate and substantial measures to
address climate change and safeguard the well-being of future generations.
6. Overall what can a pentadic analysis of this speech teach us about the rhetoric of climate
change activism?
A pentadic analysis of Greta Thunberg’s speech reveals valuable insights into the rhetoric of
climate change activism.
The dominant role of the act element in accusing world leaders of
stealing dreams and childhood illustrates a prevalent strategy in climate change activism–
moral framing. By framing the issue as a moral imperative, activists like Thunberg aim to
engage the audience emotionally, emphasizing the ethical responsibility of individuals,
governments, and institutions to address the worldwide issue of climate change. Thunberg's
emphasis on the urgency of the climate crisis and her attribution of blame to specific agents
highlight the importance of urgency and accountability in climate change rhetoric. It is
essential for activists to use a sense of immediacy to mobilize public sentiment and push for
accountability from those who are responsible for environmental degradation. Thunberg's
personalization of the issue, portraying the impact of climate change as a theft of dreams and
childhood, illustrates a broader trend in climate change activism to make the global and
abstract issue more relatable on an individual level. Personalization can help create empathy
and encourages a sense of shared responsibility.
The purpose element of Thunberg's speech serves as a call to action, urging leaders to take
immediate and substantial measures to address climate change. Her role as a youth activist
and spokesperson for her generation reflects a growing trend of empowering young voices in
climate change discourse. The pentadic analysis highlights the significance of the agent
element in shaping perceptions of who holds the moral high ground in advocating for
environmental sustainability. A pentadic analysis sheds light on successful rhetorical
strategies that can be used in climate change activism, and reveals the significance of
comprehending how climate change activists aim to influence public opinion, policy, and
collective action.
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