Abstract

The analysis is focused on scene-act ratio and agent-purpose ratio in an attempt to identify and interpret Obama’s motives in giving the race speech. The analysis of scene-act ratio spotlights the political motive of the speech. Obama wanted to limit the damage inflicted on his campaign by his pastor Jeremiah Wright’s sermons. The analysis of agent-purpose ratio reveals the emotional motive of the speech. Obama felt a compelling need to redeem himself due to the increasing public attack on him. At the end of paper, the author points out that pentad, subject to people’s varying interpretations, tends to lose its objective hold in its practical guidance.