Presidential Address as Ritual Transition: An Evaluation of Carter's Farewell

Authors

Glenn C. Getz, University of Iowa

Abstract

One of the most neglected genres of public address is the U.S. presidential farewell. Though notable farewell speeches, such as George Washington's lengthy written address, have received much scholarly attention, the ritual functions and characteristics of the genre have yet to be examined.¹ The classical history of the farewell is not especially helpful when attempting to understand presidential ceremonies. Of the farewells examined by scholars, most involve departing military heroes or criminals allowed to speak before their executions. Notable examples include Socrates' speech in the Phaedo prior to his drinking of the hemlock,² scaffold speeches in England,³ and Biblical farewells.⁴

Journal Title

Iowa Journal of Communication

Volume

26

Issue

1

First Page

18

Last Page

43

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Getz, Glenn C. (1994) "Presidential Address as Ritual Transition: An Evaluation of Carter's Farewell," Iowa Journal of Communication: Vol. 26: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/ijc/vol26/iss1/4

Copyright

©1994 Iowa Communication Association