Sometimes it's necessary for a leader to act like a caring parent, and treat his subjects like his children. Especially when the proverbial kitty litter is hitting the proverbial fan.
Roosevelt smartly weaves compassion into his "First Fireside Chat," both for a calming effect and to earn the trust of America. The key point in using compassion in this speech is to relate to the common man, to understand his problems and to build a sense of caring and wellbeing.
During the Great Depression, many people felt (rightfully) sorry for themselves, and perhaps a figurative pat on the shoulder was what they needed to feel understood.
Questions About Compassion
- How does FDR project compassion in his speech?
- How can an individual such as the President of the United States seem genuinely compassionate, when he wasn't experiencing the same financial troubles as the nation?
- Did Americans in the 1930s take FDR's compassion as genuine, or as forced?
- Compassion doesn't put food on the table or money in the bank, so what is the overall effect of this tactic in "First Fireside Chat?"
Chew on This
Through coming across as genuine and compassionate, President Roosevelt won the trust of his people and renewed a sense of hope in the nation.
Roosevelt's attempts at compassion in "First Fireside Chat" were easy to see through and clearly political in nature.