Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

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A powerful orator and dauntless visionary, Martin Luther King Jr. is in the echelon of greats of American history. He was an important demagogue of the Civil Rights Movement and spearheaded many of the activist philosophies. Most notable among his plaudits is the “I Have a Dream” Speech he delivered in Washington, DC in August 1963. Footage from that day reveals the extent to which the speech invigorated the throng present at the capitol, as evidenced by the boisterous applause he received as it culminated. It therefore becomes an obliging query to consider what makes the speech so compelling and effective. The answer lies in the use of three distinctive techniques: the use of timely repetition, a continuing undertone of optimism, and diction…show more content…
In almost a chorus-like fashion, King reiterates the same line to describe what he has envisaged in the namesake “Dream.” This repetition helped establish the hope that the movement’s fruition held the possibility for complete equality and elimination of the discrimination that had come to define America. Towards the latter part of the speech, King transposed the namesake line for “Let freedom ring,” signifying the progression from a conjectural idea to the reality of equality. A cursory glance at the states he names would prompt the conclusion that he named them from both coasts in order to maximize the scope of the movement. There is, however, a subtle and astute pattern behind his naming of the states, as he started by naming the more progressive states and only mentioned the conservative states in subsequent lines. This may be happenstance, but it certainly does invite the idea that King could have deliberately structured his list such that he climaxed by naming the states where equality was less achievable. In doing so, King would have shone a shaft of hope for those who desired freedom in Southern states and also indirectly may have heightened momentum for protestors. Repetition not only produced more certitude in what King said, but also consolidated and gave rhythmic quality to the…show more content…
Each iteration of the name-sake “I Have a Dream” line was markedly more hopeful than the previous. For instance, King initiates by addressing the more immediate problem of overcoming frustration, but quickly proceeds in the lines thereafter to the larger dream of abating the barrier of discrimination. The final lines in the “I Have a Dream” sequence take on a metaphorical slant and border on being totally imaginative, especially given the extant history of discrimination. Nevertheless, King fulfills his objective from a literary perspective, leaving the audience inspired and energized. A similar pattern is evident in the second part, in which King replicates the method with the “Let freedom ring” sequence. Additionally, the final statement in this sequence—in manner similar to the previous statements—indicates hope for a more holistic and uniform change. These patterns not only follow a logical cadence, but also are capable of striking an emotional cord, especially when delivered with the oratory proficiency of Martin Luther
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