Analysis Of Dr. King's Iconic 'I Have A Dream' Speech
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Analysis Of Dr. King's Iconic 'I Have A Dream' Speech

Dr. King intended to bring forth conscious awareness of the oppression and injustice that people of color faced in a nation where every man was supposed to be equal.

1331
Analysis Of Dr. King's Iconic 'I Have A Dream' Speech
Blogging Book Topics

Martin Luther King, Jr. is the speaker and rhetor of the iconic “I Have A Dream” speech given in 1963 in Washington, D.C. Dr. King remains one of the most appreciated civil rights activist to embark on the quest for justice and freedom. Not only was Dr. King an activist and a speaker, but he was also a minister who had a substantial influence on his supporters within his personal circle. He used personification to reiterate the importance of fighting for civil rights: “the whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” Dr. King intended to bring forth conscious awareness of the oppression and injustice that people of color faced in a nation where every man was supposed to be equal. He spoke to the people with confidence using modes of persuasion and other rhetorical devices.

At the beginning of the speech, Dr. King uses repetition to emphasize certain issues: the stagnancy of innovation and the lack of unity. For example, he states, “one hundred years later” a total of four times. The number four represents values such as loyalty, devotion, and justice. In that same manner, Dr. King says “we cannot be satisfied” seven times. According to numerology.com, the number seven is the seeker, the thinker and the searcher of truth. Lastly, he claims “I have a dream” a total of 11 times. This number symbolizes fulfillment, vision and purity.

For the purpose of unifying blacks and whites, Dr. King’s intended audience is those who suffer from racial injustice. He says, “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.” He was intending not only to seek freedom for blacks but also to inform blacks that not all whites have the same motives: "the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.” Dr. King also reveals how important walking in love is when he states, “let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”

Correspondingly, Dr. King incorporates the three modes of persuasion: pathos, logos and ethos. First is logos when he stated the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abe Lincoln. Equally important, his response starting with “but one hundred years later” exhibits his use of pathos. He reveals the distress and disappointment the oppressed endured after having to face injustice. The despondency resulting from the lack of change: “This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” Third, he uses an example of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to enforce ethos. He proclaims: “this note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Dr. King’s use of rhetoric devices acts as an aid to connect with the American people. In addition to the modes of persuasion, he also includes many other rhetoric devices such as personification, metaphors and metanoia for clarification purposes. Peter C. Meyers from the Heritage Foundation believes that “Martin Luther King, Jr. was a champion of great principle.” Martin Luther King, Jr was martyred for his beliefs on injustice and leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. As MLK said, 1963 was not an end, but a beginning

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56875
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36660
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958457
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

189511
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments