Mlk Speech Figurative Language

In Martin Luther King Jr’s legendary speech, “I have a dream,” Dr. King addresses his desire and hopes to eliminate racism and spread equality throughout America. Throughout his speech, Dr.King uses various literary techniques in order to get across his message and persuade his audience of both blacks and whites. Dr. King’s introduction begins with a slow pace, placing emphasis on each word. The slow pace approach, allows the audience to fully grasp MLK’s belief that his speech “will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.” In his speech, Dr.King also incorporates the three rhetorical appeals: logos, pathos, and ethos. The beginning of the second paragraph, “five score years ago,” demonstrates

incorporates pathos in order to “evoke feelings from the audience,” using figurative language;etc. In his speech, King refers to the lives of the Negroes as a “bad check” and the “bank of justice is bankrupt,” representing figurative language. King also uses figurative language to create similes;“we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream,” and to compare the racial tension to the heat in Mississippi:“a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression.” King’s speech also incorporates alliteration, “....the time to”. Along with the three rhetorical appeals, Dr. King uses his own techniques in order to capture the attention of the audience. As mentioned earlier, King began his speech with a slow pace. However, as he progressed, his tone of voice changed and he began to add extra stress and tension in certain parts of his speech. When King stated, “Now is the time,” the audience sensed a turning point in his speech. During this point he placed stress on words such as “all” and “honoring.” Towards the end of the speech, when he starts to discuss his “dream,” his tone gets noticeably louder and incorporates the literary device palillogy, repeating phrases such as “Let freedom ring.” Repeating such phrases with forcefulness demonstrates a leadership like appearance which makes it