‘Strangers in their own Country’: Epideictic Rhetoric and Communal Definition in Enoch Powell's ‘Rivers of Blood’ Speech

Judi Atkins

doi:10.1111/1467-923X.12548

‘Strangers in their own Country’: Epideictic Rhetoric and Communal Definition in Enoch Powell's ‘Rivers of Blood’ Speech

Judi Atkins

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Abstract

This article treats Enoch Powell's ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech as an example of the epideictic rhetoric of blame and exclusion. Drawing on a framework proposed by Celeste Michelle Condit, the analysis explores the functions of the address for the speaker and for the audience. Of particular concern are Powell's self‐presentation as a statesman and prophet; his account of the impact and consequences of unrestricted immigration; and his portrayal of a community where ordinary, decent English people were being displaced and victimised by Commonwealth immigrants—a process in which he claimed the authorities were complicit. For the audience, the speech gave public expression to their concerns about immigration, though Powell's predictions of a dystopian future also aroused sentiments of anger and foreboding. Despite the controversy that ensued, the impact of ‘Rivers of Blood’ was far‐reaching, and its influence is still apparent in contemporary debates over immigration.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	362-369
Number of pages	8
Journal	The Political Quarterly
Volume	89
Issue number	3
Early online date	16 Jul 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-923X.12548
Publication status	Published - Sept 2018

Bibliographical note

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Atkins, J 2018, '‘Strangers in their own Country’: Epideictic Rhetoric and Communal Definition in Enoch Powell's ‘Rivers of Blood’ Speech' The Political Quarterly, vol 89, no. 3, pp. 362-369, which has been published in final form at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-923X.12548
This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Keywords

Enoch Powell
rhetoric
immigration
race
community
national identity

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10.1111/1467-923X.12548

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abstract = "This article treats Enoch Powell's {\textquoteleft}Rivers of Blood{\textquoteright} speech as an example of the epideictic rhetoric of blame and exclusion. Drawing on a framework proposed by Celeste Michelle Condit, the analysis explores the functions of the address for the speaker and for the audience. Of particular concern are Powell's self‐presentation as a statesman and prophet; his account of the impact and consequences of unrestricted immigration; and his portrayal of a community where ordinary, decent English people were being displaced and victimised by Commonwealth immigrants—a process in which he claimed the authorities were complicit. For the audience, the speech gave public expression to their concerns about immigration, though Powell's predictions of a dystopian future also aroused sentiments of anger and foreboding. Despite the controversy that ensued, the impact of {\textquoteleft}Rivers of Blood{\textquoteright} was far‐reaching, and its influence is still apparent in contemporary debates over immigration.",

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‘Strangers in their own Country’: Epideictic Rhetoric and Communal Definition in Enoch Powell's ‘Rivers of Blood’ Speech

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

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