Exordium: What demographic throughout history, regardless of society, has been deemed significantly inferior since biblical times? Why, women, of course!
Thesis:
- Rosie the Riveter helped instill confidence in the women of the World War II-era by introducing herself as a vital part of American society and its war effort. Furthermore, the spirit helped encourage generations of women to come.
Narratio:
- After Pearl Harbor, the United States swept millions of men away from civilian life and off to war.
- At home, there was a dilemma regarding how to support the war effort.
- In a moment of crisis, the U.S. government effectively solves the surface level issue at hand regarding the hole in its workforce by means of inspirational propaganda and urge women into the war effort.
Partitio:
- Rosie’s mission was to champion women into the war effort and successfully orchestrate a workforce that could support the war abroad.
- The poster also as a tool for future waves of female empowerment and has been continually looked to as a source of inspiration by modern feminist groups.
Confirmatio:
Pathos:
- “We Can Do It!” slogan rallied women to feel that they were a part of something bigger than themselves; they belonged to “we”, “we” being the American public.
- As Rosie called the women to action, they were being readily acknowledged as capable and important members of American society – not just as free domestic labor and inferior sex.
- A beautiful, patriotic woman, adorned in the nation’s colors, is the main focus of the poster- Rosie. She is not smiling, she means business, and she is holding the sleeve of her work shirt.
- Her arm is the focus of the poster, and she’s showcasing her strength as she flexes her muscles, proving her strength and capability.
Ethos:
- The source of the poster is the U.S. government, the world’s emerging superpower (at the time of the poster publication). The U.S. government is encouraging and urging women to join the war effort because they are reliable and critical to the impending outcome of the nation’s success overseas.
Kairos:
- The U.S. government capitalized upon a seemingly idle demographic that could serve its industrial war effort, as a majority of women were unemployed. at the time.
- In the future, feminist groups have looked to Rosie as inspiration to continue pushing for reform, promoting change, and fighting for progressive platforms.
Refutatio:
- Although Rosie may not be seen as influential to women of the time, there were very few “working woman” role models to gain inspiration from at the time.
- Wonder Woman, another heroine born of war, inspired young girls to be patriotic and to understand their duty as Americans.
- Role models at the time were traditionally feminine and cultural icons and film portrayed the most desirable of women as non-working, domestic, and glamorous.
Peroratio:
- Rosie has encouraged American women to become active citizens of their nation, advancing the war effort at home not only by becoming active members of the workforce but also by sowing seeds for their own victory gardens, rationing goods, and purchasing war bonds.
- A new “American woman” has been born of Rosie. She’s dynamic – a doting mother with domestic duties, and a patriotic citizen of the United States of America, who’s committed to her civic duties.
- Subsequent to breaking from a monotonous life of domesticity, many women wished to maintain an active position in both the workforce and in society.
- Just two decades later, a new wave of feminism promoted a radical change in the expectations of women; these included equal pay, promoting women obtaining education and working in professional settings, and challenging the establishment’s tired patriarchal mindset.