Analyzing MLK Jr's "I have a dream" speech
Identify two examples of repetition in the speech. Explain why these words or phrases are important and how they advance King's Argument.
" Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood." This is important because he is stressing the urgency of the situation "I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day..." This repetition shows his prolonged wishing for a better world for African Americans
Identify the allusions and explain how they advance King's argument
"Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation" Dr. King's speech (1963) was made 100 years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (1863) that freed all slaves in rebel territories. King salutes Lincoln's contribution to the fight against discrimination. "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring!" Finally, King appeals to his audience's sense of nationalism, calling upon them to achieve the founding ideals of the nation: liberty and freedom.
Find examples of parallelism in lines 36-41. What effect does the parallel structure create? What point is King emphasizing?
He compares the fierce urgency of "now" to some taking the drug of "gradualism". idk if that counts but theres more so..... He calls segregation a "dark and desolate valley" and "racial justice" a sunlit path. A dark and desolate valley is cold, rocky, and hard to survive in. A sunlit path is warm, paved, and safe for all. He compares racial injustice to quicksand while comparing brotherhood to a solid rock. He is saying that quicksand traps you and swallows you whole, while a solid rock has room for everyone to work together
How does King structure, or organize, his speech? Explain how each section integrates his ideas and advances his argument.
He uses a topic sentence followed by evidence and examples. Each section integrates his ideas and advances his arguments by stating a claim and backing it up with facts and personal testimonies
Why do you think King's "I have a dream" speech is remembered as one of the most significant speeches in American history? Explain what makes the speech memorable and how it contributes to the ideal of an American society.
It brought even greater attention to the Civil Rights Movement, which had been going on for many years. It also brought Martin Luther King and his message of non-violence to a nationwide (and worldwide) audience. This speech is so memorable and idealistic because it was a beautiful example of democracy and free speech at work, and it advocated for the rights of the oppressed without using violence.
The central point of an argument is the claim, or proposition. What is King's claim in this speech? What evidence does he cite to support his claim?
King's central claim is that "the Negro is still is not free" (line 10) He supports the claim that African American do not enjoy complete freedom by pointing out that segregation, discrimination, and poverty still exist for the majority of African Americans (lines 12-13)
How does King develop the metaphor? What does he believe was promised to African Americans? How has America given African Americans a "bad check"?
When African-Americans read the constitution, and didn't have the rights that White Americans had since the founding of the United States, they had received a "Bad Check" that didn't give them what was promised to "all" men according to the constitution.
