Burkean scapegoating, mortification, and transcendence in presidential campaign rhetoric

1 December 1981

journal article
research article
Published by Taylor & Francis in Central States Speech Journal

Vol. 32 (4) , 254-264
https://doi.org/10.1080/10510978109368104

Abstract

The essay explains Kenneth Burke's concepts of scapegoating and mortification as symbolic means of redeeming guilt, and transcendence as a symbolic means of avoiding guilt. Presidential campaign rhetoric from 1980 illustrates these three rhetorical strategies well: Jimmy Carter used a strategy of mortification and redemption, Ronald Reagan employed transcendence, and John Anderson used scapegoating. Some implications for theory of political rhetoric are explored.

Keywords

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:

Symbolic form, Burkean scapegoating, and rhetorical exigency in Alioto's response to the “Zebra” murders
Western Journal of Speech Communication, 1980
The contributory effect of rhetorical discourse: A study of language‐in‐use
Quarterly Journal of Speech, 1980
THE RHETORIC OF HITLER'S "BATTLE"
Published by University of California Press ,1973