Rhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech

590 Words2 Pages

A freedom fighter and visionary, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is writing a public speech, “I Have a Dream,” expounding upon the concepts of racism and jobs for African-Americans. King’s purpose is to fight the malicious forces of white supremacy while fortifying the bounds of equality by pulling upon the horrors of the past and capitalizing the strengths of past men who fought such atrocities. Moreover, he adopts an impassioned tone in order to rally the belief and strength of the African-American populace along with all of its supporters. Dr. King begins his passionate speech for the equality of unequal peoples in our society by elaborating upon one of the great leaders of America, Abraham Lincoln, using “Five score years ago…,” as if to enter the stage with a gaudy flash to announce the sorrow that these people still felt. This gaudy showmanship that Dr. King so elegantly performed was used to represent an allusion to the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, so that he can pull upon the emotions of long deserved freedom and rile the fierce fighting spirit within the unequal populace. The people feel that justice is long overdue, Michael Hyun points this out by observing “The diction is one …show more content…

continues his powerful motivational speech by annunciating the equality of all to promote the idea of a brighter future through the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed and are currently being shed. Accordingly, he uses metaphors to elaborate on the pain that these unequal people have suffered in their attempts to make a change in their world such as, “you have been the veterans of creative suffering.” Dr. King’s strongest quote that encompasses the faith that these people have for a brighter tomorrow is “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back (Jr.).” His use of anaphora brings the listener to full attention at the gravity of such a statement and its

Open Document