Martin Luther King I Have A Dream Belonging
Area of Study – Belonging: ORT 1 Analysis
HSC Advanced English
1) Identify the title, text type, composer and year of publication.
I Have a Dream (IHD) is a speech composed by Martin Luther King Jr – a prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement – on August 28th 1963.
2) Identify the context in which your ORT has been set.
Martin Luther King Jr was an activist for African American civil rights. On the day of the speech 200,000 fellow activists were participating in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom; King delivered his speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial – a symbol for freedom in the eyes of all Americans. This speech was given at a time when racial tensions were at a peak and African Americans were discriminated and ostracized.
3) Outline at least 3 key ideas about belonging/not belonging, which are represented in your ORT.
i) The heritage of African American people influencing their identity, hence hindering their ability to belong. …show more content…
African American people were first brought to North America as slaves in 1619; the oppression they faced at the hands of their white persecutors continued on for some 246 years before slave laws were abolished.
However, even after slavery was eliminated, cultural segregation still remained and remains to this very day. As such, memories of ill treatment were still fresh in the mind of King as he wrote the speech, “the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination”. This strong acknowledgement of heritage within the African American people as whole is a testament to in inherent sense of belonging they feel as an individual people. But, therein lies the problem, they are still an individual people. They yearn to become part of the greater American community; however, they are limited in this regard due to the abhorrent treatment of their
forefathers.
ii) Experiences described in the text provide explanation to the protagonist’s intense desire to belong.
Even after almost 350 years of segregation and brutality at the hands of his white oppressor’s King still strives forward to join a culture – which a majority of its members don’t want him to belong too. King states: “battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality”, highlights the treatment of his people. He still endeavours to belong in place where he can be described as “an exile in his own land”. King further highlights not only the racial segregation but also the barriers of economic classes, “Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity”. Through all these barriers King still strives to get recognition in a society that clearly does not want to recognise him, however, as King stated “this situation can and will be changed”.
iii) Relationships within the minority group band it together so that despite persecution they can rally as a unified people to strive for belonging.
King has done an excellent job at highlighting the relationship he shares with each and every one of his fellow African Americans. King highlights the importance of unity in the face of adversity, “We cannot walk alone”, and the use of inclusive diction continually reassuring his audience that he fully intends to remain with them through thick and thin just as their ancestors had done before them. Furthermore, King wishes to bring this intense sense of kinship and share it with the other races of America, “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together”.
4) Discuss how the composer has used a variety of language modes, forms, features and structures to represent these key ideas.
i) Throughout his address King continually alludes to other great texts, this allows for him to create a connection with not only his people, but also the wider community: that very community he strives to belong to. In his opening lines King alludes to another of the greatest and most heartfelt speeches of all time, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, “Five score years ago…” Lincoln was speaking to an assembly of people who had suffered the atrocities of war; atrocities which had also faced the African American people. Similarly, King frequently makes reference to Bible passages – religion is at the heart of many American people – King refers to Isaiah 40:4-5, “I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted…” by drawing links to be the bible King manages to also create links with every person who is present through their sense of spirituality. However, King ends with the most powerful of all his quotes; he speaks from an old Negro spiritual “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”. ii) Moreover, King’s continual use of anaphora creates bonds between himself and his audience. Continual use of the word “We” creates a nexus between King and his fellow African American people. Similarly, King regularly brings up his dreams he has for the country that he wishes to belong to, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed”. By continually linking back his ideas to a vision he has for America it make his ideas seem plausible and accomplishable in the near future. iii) Repeatedly throughout his address king evokes powerful imagery to enhance the prolific nature of his speech. He speaks of “narrow cells” and a “desolate valley of segregation” both of conjure unmistakable images of suffering and isolation. King draws on the spirituality of the African American people to create an unmistakable spiritual nexus between his words and their souls, “we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force”, inviting them to turn to spirituality rather than violence in times of turmoil. King has used imagery to depict the atrocities committed against his people “battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality”.
5) Explain how the perspectives that are given voice in or are absent from your ORT include or exclude you from the text.
I didn’t really understand this question, could I talk to you about this one sometime?
6) Compare and contrast your own personal experience of belonging with the representations of belonging in your ORT.
When responding to King’s speech I felt as if I was a part of something bigger, I felt as if I too was there, marching upon Washington. However, I have often felt this feeling of mateship and comradery. I feel it every time I go out to play rugby, I feel it every time we have a whole school event and I feel it every time I’m with my family. The profound sense of pride that King feels when speaking of his race and his ancestors’ struggle is another thing I can relate to. I take pride in my heritage and what my ancestors have done to get me where I am.
7) Evaluate the extent to which exploring the concept of belonging has broadened and deepened your understanding of yourself and your world.
By exploring the concept of belonging I have become more open to others hardships and much more appreciative of what people have done before me. It has become apparent that the need and desire to belong is innate within every human being. People strive for connectivity to others in any form; the possibility of companionship seems to be irresistible for all humans. The texts I have studied have highlighter to me what it means to belong: to be a part of something bigger than just yourself. This sense of community is brought about through understanding of one another and acknowledgement of out differences that make us individuals and grant us a sense of personal identity.
8) How will you connect your ORT with the poems of P.S?
To connect IHD with the poems of Skrzynecki I will draw connections between the segregation and isolation experienced throughout Migrant Hostel and the acknowledgement of the essential recognition of heritage in a sense of identity exemplified in Ancestors.
HSC Advanced English
1) Identify the title, text type, composer and year of publication.
I Have a Dream (IHD) is a speech composed by Martin Luther King Jr – a prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement – on August 28th 1963.
2) Identify the context in which your ORT has been set.
Martin Luther King Jr was an activist for African American civil rights. On the day of the speech 200,000 fellow activists were participating in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom; King delivered his speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial – a symbol for freedom in the eyes of all Americans. This speech was given at a time when racial tensions were at a peak and African Americans were discriminated and ostracized.
3) Outline at least 3 key ideas about belonging/not belonging, which are represented in your ORT.
i) The heritage of African American people influencing their identity, hence hindering their ability to belong. …show more content…
African American people were first brought to North America as slaves in 1619; the oppression they faced at the hands of their white persecutors continued on for some 246 years before slave laws were abolished.
However, even after slavery was eliminated, cultural segregation still remained and remains to this very day. As such, memories of ill treatment were still fresh in the mind of King as he wrote the speech, “the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination”. This strong acknowledgement of heritage within the African American people as whole is a testament to in inherent sense of belonging they feel as an individual people. But, therein lies the problem, they are still an individual people. They yearn to become part of the greater American community; however, they are limited in this regard due to the abhorrent treatment of their
forefathers.
ii) Experiences described in the text provide explanation to the protagonist’s intense desire to belong.
Even after almost 350 years of segregation and brutality at the hands of his white oppressor’s King still strives forward to join a culture – which a majority of its members don’t want him to belong too. King states: “battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality”, highlights the treatment of his people. He still endeavours to belong in place where he can be described as “an exile in his own land”. King further highlights not only the racial segregation but also the barriers of economic classes, “Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity”. Through all these barriers King still strives to get recognition in a society that clearly does not want to recognise him, however, as King stated “this situation can and will be changed”.
iii) Relationships within the minority group band it together so that despite persecution they can rally as a unified people to strive for belonging.
King has done an excellent job at highlighting the relationship he shares with each and every one of his fellow African Americans. King highlights the importance of unity in the face of adversity, “We cannot walk alone”, and the use of inclusive diction continually reassuring his audience that he fully intends to remain with them through thick and thin just as their ancestors had done before them. Furthermore, King wishes to bring this intense sense of kinship and share it with the other races of America, “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together”.
4) Discuss how the composer has used a variety of language modes, forms, features and structures to represent these key ideas.
i) Throughout his address King continually alludes to other great texts, this allows for him to create a connection with not only his people, but also the wider community: that very community he strives to belong to. In his opening lines King alludes to another of the greatest and most heartfelt speeches of all time, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, “Five score years ago…” Lincoln was speaking to an assembly of people who had suffered the atrocities of war; atrocities which had also faced the African American people. Similarly, King frequently makes reference to Bible passages – religion is at the heart of many American people – King refers to Isaiah 40:4-5, “I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted…” by drawing links to be the bible King manages to also create links with every person who is present through their sense of spirituality. However, King ends with the most powerful of all his quotes; he speaks from an old Negro spiritual “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”. ii) Moreover, King’s continual use of anaphora creates bonds between himself and his audience. Continual use of the word “We” creates a nexus between King and his fellow African American people. Similarly, King regularly brings up his dreams he has for the country that he wishes to belong to, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed”. By continually linking back his ideas to a vision he has for America it make his ideas seem plausible and accomplishable in the near future. iii) Repeatedly throughout his address king evokes powerful imagery to enhance the prolific nature of his speech. He speaks of “narrow cells” and a “desolate valley of segregation” both of conjure unmistakable images of suffering and isolation. King draws on the spirituality of the African American people to create an unmistakable spiritual nexus between his words and their souls, “we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force”, inviting them to turn to spirituality rather than violence in times of turmoil. King has used imagery to depict the atrocities committed against his people “battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality”.
5) Explain how the perspectives that are given voice in or are absent from your ORT include or exclude you from the text.
I didn’t really understand this question, could I talk to you about this one sometime?
6) Compare and contrast your own personal experience of belonging with the representations of belonging in your ORT.
When responding to King’s speech I felt as if I was a part of something bigger, I felt as if I too was there, marching upon Washington. However, I have often felt this feeling of mateship and comradery. I feel it every time I go out to play rugby, I feel it every time we have a whole school event and I feel it every time I’m with my family. The profound sense of pride that King feels when speaking of his race and his ancestors’ struggle is another thing I can relate to. I take pride in my heritage and what my ancestors have done to get me where I am.
7) Evaluate the extent to which exploring the concept of belonging has broadened and deepened your understanding of yourself and your world.
By exploring the concept of belonging I have become more open to others hardships and much more appreciative of what people have done before me. It has become apparent that the need and desire to belong is innate within every human being. People strive for connectivity to others in any form; the possibility of companionship seems to be irresistible for all humans. The texts I have studied have highlighter to me what it means to belong: to be a part of something bigger than just yourself. This sense of community is brought about through understanding of one another and acknowledgement of out differences that make us individuals and grant us a sense of personal identity.
8) How will you connect your ORT with the poems of P.S?
To connect IHD with the poems of Skrzynecki I will draw connections between the segregation and isolation experienced throughout Migrant Hostel and the acknowledgement of the essential recognition of heritage in a sense of identity exemplified in Ancestors.