...Renowned civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his notorious speech, “I Have a Dream”, in the midst of societal strife across the United States. Throughout his oration, King lances at the status quo, one where African Americans are degraded and demeaned to the sewers of American society; instead, he proposes a new country—a new way—where African Americans will fight until they obtain the rights they were originally promised. In superb recognition of his audience, King uses a litany of devices, from metaphors to anaphora, in order to develop rage within the audience—a unifying quality that would undoubtedly drive a movement facing gusty headwinds. Intending to concisely state the purpose of his speech, Martin Luther King utilizes...
Words: 863 - Pages: 4
...and no other would stand up, Martin Luther said, ‘’We have no alternative but to protest. We come here tonight to be saved from that patience that makes us patient with anything less than freedom and justice. ‘’ I believe, that he gave his people the strength and courage they needed to stand up for themselves. It is my belief that their civil rights, were so harsh and not fair at all. King continued organization’s until he believed they got what he and his people truly deserve. King applies the rhetorical devices throughout his speech. King creates ethos in several instances. Ethos is that appeal that creates trust, leadership, and authority. When king alludes to Lincoln, Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation,...
Words: 548 - Pages: 3
...Martin Luther King, Jr wrote a one of time’s most memorable, yet powerful speech that touched American citizens all around the world and helped open their eyes to what could be a “perfect world.” He delivered the speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where nearly a quarter of a million people gathered around to hear him voice his opinion. During this time, he was considered a brave man, for he was black and racism was so harsh on the black community. Knowing this risk, he took a stand for the colored citizens. He became the most predominant leader in the Civil Rights Movements. Many hours of research and preparation went into the making of this speech. Martin Luther King, Jr designed his speech to leave an impact on people that would allow them to remember it. For example King states, “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.” Carefully choosing his words, he...
Words: 662 - Pages: 3
...“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” - Martin Luther King Jr. The gift of eloquent speech that has been graced towards our like minds has swindled the air of its breath and left a nation to exercise dire beliefs at an unpropitious time, where one may counter with the rejoice in the accomplishments of one man’s dream; “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” This man so happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. And so we know that no great accomplishment is awarded without a price, that no humble belief is executed without determination and that through the obstacles of life, the intangible becomes the tangible. First, it starts with the segregation of blacks and whites in the public areas...
Words: 624 - Pages: 3
...On the 28th day of August in 1963, at Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC Martin Luther King once said, " I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal." King believed that every one should be equal no matter race, religion, or background they are. On that day of King's speech a majority of African-Americans, which whom the speech was intended for, not only them but for whites who stood for equality. Also foreign citzens that wanted the same rights as Americans. Political Representitives were there because of JFK, all stood to listen to King that gave them hope that one day this would be true. Metaphorically,...
Words: 350 - Pages: 2
...On August 28th, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a moving speech on the racial injustices African Americans were facing. Protesters from all over the United States came to be a part of such a mighty demonstration, protesting racial inequality in front of President Lincoln’s memorial. Dr. King spoke powerfully to condemn the brutal injustices that African Americans were facing, and to urge protesters to unite in peace to fight for justice for all Americans. Dr. King explained that through the Emancipation Proclamation and the Declaration of Independence, all Americans should be given opportunity to strive toward “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. However, African Americans had been disadvantaged and not given such opportunity through racial inequality. Such inequalities resulted in poverty, insufficient public...
Words: 372 - Pages: 2
...Invention He explained his ideal version of America by using metaphors. Dr. King promptly mentions the problems that he intended on talking about. Martin Luther King wanted to express that he has a strong hope for America to change the current detrimental way African Americans were treated. He believed that with the support of local communities, that people could join together to achieve fairness for people of all races. Dr. King used plenty of expressive techniques throughout his speech. The section that mentioned the letter he received from the young white girl, and repeating the phrase “If I had sneezed” gave his speech a special touch while carrying his representation for loss, Dr. King was able to relate himself and his personal experiences to the experiences of others. Arrangement...
Words: 505 - Pages: 3
...Speech Opinions Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech is an important guideline and goal of equality for the world to follow. Even if the performance, and the marching was staged as Malcolm X stated, the morals of the speech are still valuable and relevant in today’s society. However I agree with Malcolm’s dissatisfaction with the people watching the speech and some participating in the march. To throw away personal opinions and pretend to support a cause to seem “chic”, as Malcolm wrote, is disrespectful to the cause. It is also disappointing that money and publicity bring more people together than serious issues that need to be resolved. Even in the present time most people don’t care about other people’s suffering unless it affects them directly. Throughout history it is clearly shown that affecting a nation's money is a sure way to get some sort of change. For example, the United States would have had no interest in being involved with the Middle East if they didn’t have a rich oil supply. Because oil is a profitable and limited product, the United States ensures that the Middle Eastern countries’ affairs don’t affect oil fields. The only thing that matters is profitable oil, not human lives....
Words: 545 - Pages: 3
...“The legal battle against segregation is won, but the community battle goes on.”(Dorothy Day) “I have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. is the most compelling speech. He used figurative language to help support his dream that all men will be able to be given the same treatment. Blacks won’t be satisfied until they are free. Martin Luther King Jr. uses imagery and diction to get to this point. This speech impacts all of American’s lives”...unspeakable horrors of police brutality…” (King, p2). This is diction because he uses words like unspeakable to explain that no one has any words to say about what the whites are doing and why they are doing it. “Negro in Mississippi cannot vote…”(King, p2). This is an example of imagery because it gives an example of where(Mississippi) and what(Blacks...
Words: 522 - Pages: 3
...Doctor Martin Luther King Junior captured the entire crowd's attention with his strong and influential message. All of the crowd was cheering during the whole speech. The crowd got even louder when he quoted the message he was putting out there. Having an excellent message for what is being said is always a wonderful way to catch consideration. The audience will not dismiss a speech with an important message. The crowd stayed the entire speech. They reacted to everything Dr. King said. If the audience does decide to stay that means it has a good meaning. It also means it has a meaningful and important message. The crowd joined him to deliver the same message as him and they decided on him to speak for them. They chose him because...
Words: 257 - Pages: 2
...civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. In 1963, King gave his famous "I have a dream" speech, in front of the Lincoln Memorial during the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The speech's location and date signify that even after years of the emancipation proclamation being pioneered the African Americans still face discrimination in their own country. The location aids King's mission of getting his message across, which is that all people deserve equal rights and he hopes to see all Americans united. To convey his message, King uses rhetorical devices such as diction, a rhetorical question, and repetition. In the beginning of his speech, King uses diction to stress his point that even after years of African Americans being set free from their positions of slaves, they still feel like they're chained up. King uses words such as "great", 'hope", and "joyous" to describe the emancipation proclamation. The emancipation proclamation was instigated by Abraham...
Words: 718 - Pages: 3
...At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. changed the lives of African Americans. King delivered a memorable speech called “I Have a Dream”. A speech about the Civil Rights Movement, and made America think more about what the Declaration of Independence establishes of what America should strictly follow, which is “All men are created equal” no matter what skin color ,nationality, and ethnicity. King dreamt about civil rights his whole life, now everyone in the United States is created equal not just men. The audience that this speech targeted was the United States, so they could realize how harsh America has gotten. White people during this time period should be ashamed of themselves of treating innocent people the way they did, only because of the distinct skin color. King encouraged America, and the world to make a change about being divergent. “I Have a Dream” speech changed the face of America forever....
Words: 655 - Pages: 3
...Throughout American history, racism has fractured this country in many aspects. The United States is notorious for a racist history towards people of color. Why has the African-American culture been handled differently for numerous years in the United States? Martin Luther King Jr. posed this very question in his “I Have A Dream” speech to the American people. In August of 1963, Dr. King delivered the speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. His speech contained multiple rhetorical devices, including repetition, allusion, imagery, symbolism, and irony. Rhetorical devices are used in order to arouse an emotion, inspire to take action, and persuade a new point of view. This speech is celebrated as one of the most inspirational speeches in history, and it served as the turning point of the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout “I Have A Dream,” Dr. King emphasizes that segregation is erroneous by utilizing different literary elements....
Words: 563 - Pages: 3
...On August 28, 1963, in Washington DC Martin Luther KingJr.,gave one of his most famous speeches titled “I have a dream” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.King’s purpose for delivering this speech was to inspire people to unite as one.He wanted to end racial discrimination and lead a progression of civil rights for all human beings regardless of race or cultural background. He dreams one day that his children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. He introduced his topic with three words “ I Have a Dream”, he unified the concept of where there was no social hatred,where people were treated equally, and where it wasn’t a crime to be a minority. The speech was split up into two sections, the...
Words: 500 - Pages: 2
...Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech exhibits rhetorical elements in which he uses repetition within his strong imagery, logical thoughts, and credible examples to support his argument that all men are created equal and should be treated as such. In the first paragraph of King’s speech, he immediately evokes Pathos in his audience. He refers to the beacon of light that has been “seared in the flames of withering injustice.” This image casts a feeling of hopelessness and despair. The metaphors invoke an initial feeling in his listeners and grab their attention. The second paragraph continues the strong use of imagery, but he also incorporates a repetition to help strengthen his message. His reference to “One hundred years later”...
Words: 570 - Pages: 3
