Michael Zhan 9/9/12 Period 1 Washington Essay In Washingtons farewell address, Washington, although against the will of the

people, declines his position for presidency. However, the true purpose of his speech is not to inform the public of his decision, but to give the public his advice as well as cautions towards the relationship between the government and the people. By speaking in a metaphoric way backed with comparisons, Washington addresses what the government and the people should become and what they should do, backing up his ideas and providing emphasis on them with repetition. Washington describes government as a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence. By comparing government to a pillar, Washington implies just how important it is, for government is the foundation and the most important object holding up the peoples liberty and prosperity. Without it, everything would fall; this is why Washington warns the citizens to protect their government from unwanted enemies. The citizens must do everything in their power to prevent the destruction of their precious government, else suffer the loss of their values and beliefs. Washington further demonstrates the importance of the unity of government with repeated words within a parallel structure. Different causes and from different quarters are where the true dangers lie, and Washington warns the people to be wary of these troubles and keep them away from their political fortress. Because Washington consistently uses the same phrase in the same sentence, the meaning is amplified and contains a degree of necessity, something that the public needs to achieve. The words you should exemplifies just how much of the immense value of the union is, and shows how much the people should cherish it. Taking care of their government holds the highest priority and represents the peoples independence. Washington supports his stances even more with similes. In an attempt to explain the position and roles of political power in government, to preserve them is as necessary as to institute them. By establishing the relationship between the two, Washington points out the need of having political power as well as distributing them and keeping them in check. In this way, the roles of government and the people are established, achieving the purpose of his speech.