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Winston Churchill
(1874-1965)
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This month we look at chiasmus in the life and works of Winston Churchill, one of the most charismatic and influential
leaders in world history. If you enjoy this feature, please let me know what you like about it, and why. If I fail
to include an essential quote, or err in some way, let me know that as well. Your comments
will make this a better site for other visitors in the future.
Winston Churchill possessed such impressive oratorical skills that historian Arnold Toynbee believed his wartime speeches were absolutely essential to the Allied
victory in WWII. During the darkest days of the war, Churchill's words, so expertly crafted, so superbly delivered, buoyed the spirits and restored the resilience
of the beleaguered English people. When the U. S. Congress voted to confer honorary American citizenship on Churchill in 1963, President Kennedy said, "He mobilized
the English language and sent it into battle."
Given his love of language and linguistic skill, it's not surprising to discover that Churchill was fond of chiasmus. In fact, no other political leader rivals
him in the use of the technique (JFK comes in a very distant second). I'll present thirty of them here, selected from his speeches, writings, parliamentary debates,
and everyday conversation.
 Part 1
Part 2
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