Conceptual metaphors in Barack Obama’s 2009 inaugural speech

Abstract

Metaphors are a key element in politics, framing abstract ideas in concrete domains familiar to people. The 2009 inaugural address given by Barack Obama, at a time of national crisis, becomes an inherent case to study the systematic use of metaphors. This study aims to reveal how conceptual metaphor structures provide coherence for Obama’s rhetoric and enhance the persuasive power of metaphor networks within his speech. Drawing from Conceptual Metaphor Theory and critical metaphor analysis, the study applies MIP to the entire inaugural address. Metaphors were coded, categorized, and cross-validated by the researcher to ensure reliability. The analysis showed dominant metaphorical domains of journey, construction, family, war, renewal, and light that form coherent networks of collective struggle, unity, and national renewal. While it supports previous findings, it suggests that the metaphor phenomena should be viewed as interrelated rather than separated into categories. The study presents the power of metaphor networks for the president’s rhetoric, advances metaphor analysis in political communication, and posits wider applications for understanding leadership rhetoric.