Gettysburg Address And I Have A Dream Speech Comparison

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln are role models to almost everyone in the world because of there great act. When both men deliver the speech they were talking about the same things. Both speeches target slavery, racism, slave owners, and the government. Their purpose was to convince everyone that the world would be a more pleasing place without the racism and slavery. They're trying to persuade the people and government that slavery should be banned. Therefore, they talk about the same thing but in different tone. The similarity are that they use a lot of devices to get there point clear like anaphora, allusion, and ethos.

To commence, both speech uses a device named anaphora. Anaphora is a repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect. Both men use keywords numerous times. Gettysburg Address states "We cannot dedicate… we cannot consecrate... we cannot hallow this ground.” These are examples of an anaphora where “we cannot” is said a lot at the beginning of each quote. He says it more than once just to get his point across. While in the “I Have a Dream” speech it states that “Let freedom ring" meaning that freedom should be everywhere in the nation. “With this faith" he means if he could put the faith he has into …show more content…

An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. The Gettysburg Address states“Four score and seven years ago” referring to the American Revolution. Meanwhile, in the “I Have a Dream” speech states "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" & "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." This refers to Declaration of Independence and "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted." Refers to the bible Isaiah 40:4-5. Uses their resources to get their point

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