Firm, With Just the Right Amount of Give (Like a Block of Overpriced Organic Tofu)

Talking about painful events can be very difficult. Reagan had to convey a sense of steadfastness, confidence, and emotional intelligence all at the same time. The most effective way for him to do this was through the careful use of tone.

With a strategic balance of tenderness and solidity, Reagan's speech is one of the most carefully written "tough love" statements of the 20th century.

The speech has a firmness to it that works to restore confidence to the audience. Words like "daring," "brave," and "faith" are comforting. They are intended to pump up the tired and sad psyche of the country with something solid and nourishing.

Add to that just the right amount of compassion, and you get a sense of relief and familiarity. When Reagan says, "Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue" (36), he's confirming a better future and reassuring people that America had not been thwarted by tragedy.