Topic

The topics of Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech “Tryst with Destiny” are freedom and responsibility in the context of Indian independence.

The speech was delivered on the night between 14th and 15th of August, 1947. On the 15th, India became independent from British rule when the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence …

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Freedom

The movement for Indian independence had started almost a century before, in 1857, but became more prominent after World War I, when Mahatma Gandhi became its leader and started to promote non-violent activism.

Nehru reminds the audience of their long road towards freedom: “Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge…” (p. 26, ll. 3-4); “At the dawn of history India started on her un…

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Responsibility

In the speech, the topic of freedom is almost always explored along with the topic of responsibility, as the speaker argues that the two are closely connected: “Freedom and power bring responsibility. The responsibility rests upon this Assembly…” (p. 27, ll. 3-4); “But freedom brings responsibilities and burdens and we have to face them in the spirit of a free and disciplined people.” (p. 27, ll. 42-43).

The above quotations reveal that the speaker focuses on the responsibility of both the government and the people to show that India can govern herself. I…

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Argumentation

Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech is mostly constructed using direct argumentation. This means the speaker expresses his views and arguments in a straightforward manner, such as when he explicitly links freedom with responsibility: “But freedom brings responsibilities and burdens and we have to face them in the spirit of a free and disciplined people.” (p. 27, ll. 42-43).

A sign of direct argumentation is the fact that the speaker not only states his views but also explains them: “The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the e…