Final answer:
Franklin D. Roosevelt uses the phrase "sharp pinch" to effectively make the audience relate to the anticipated hardships of total war, portraying the sacrifices as intense but temporary in his 1943 State of the Union address. So the correct answer is Option B.
Step-by-step explanation:
Franklin D. Roosevelt's State of the Union address in 1943 notably uses the phrase "sharp pinch" to communicate the impending hardships of total war to the American public. This choice of words serves to help the audience imagine the pain of the upcoming year in a relatable way, acknowledging that the sacrifices required on the home front would be felt acutely, but were necessary for the greater cause of winning the war. By using a tactile metaphor like "sharp pinch," Roosevelt is able to convey the seriousness of the situation while still suggesting that the hardship, although intense, will be temporary.
Understanding the context in which this address was given is crucial; the nation was engaged in a massive war effort that required immense production and economic shifts. For instance, the conversion from peacetime to wartime production, described in the reference material, led to shortages and inflation, which inevitably meant sacrifices for the average American. Roosevelt's address appears to be part of his larger rhetorical strategy, similar to his famous assertion that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself," where he seeks to build confidence and garner support by speaking directly and earnestly about the challenges ahead.