Question

Read the excerpt from Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall" speech. As I looked out a moment ago from the Reichstag, that embodiment of German unity, I noticed words crudely spray-painted upon the wall, perhaps by a young Berliner, "This wall will fall. Beliefs become reality." Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom. How does repetition create meaning in this excerpt?

Answer 1

Repetition in Reagan’s speech reinforces the message that the Berlin Wall's fall is inevitable, highlighting its impotence against faith, truth, and freedom.

Step-by-step explanation:

Repetition in Ronald Reagan’s "Tear Down This Wall" speech is used to emphasize the imperative and inevitability of the wall's collapse. In the excerpt provided, the phrase “this wall will fall” is repeated, enhancing the meaning and drawing the listener’s attention to the central point of Reagan’s message: the inherent weakness of the Berlin Wall before the forces of faith, truth, and freedom. Furthermore, by repeating the assertion that the wall cannot withstand these forces, Reagan drives home the prediction and anticipation of change, making his statement not just a rhetorical declaration but a prophetic one as well.

Answer 2

The meaning created by the repetition of the words ' This wall will fall" and ".. it cannot withsand...." is freedom. Ronald Regan was highlighting the fact that the fall of the Berlin Wall meant that Capitalism, as opposed to Communism, stood for faith, truth and ,thus, freedom.