Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.

In crafting his “I have a dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. relies on his credibility as a rhetor to assure his audience’s willingness not only to listen, but also to adopt his dream for the nation. MLK's life experiences helped him appeal to a broad range of audiences. Thus, Dr. King’s hereditary background, education, and occupation laid the foundation for his charisma, which informed his activism and effectiveness as a civil rights leader.
Addressing an audience of hundreds of thousands of citizens is not an easy task just any orator could commence. It involves more than filling the air with positive energy and a certain sense of confidence. According to Dr. Ronald E. Riggio, personal charisma is a“constellation of complex and sophisticated social and emotional skills,” (Riggio, 2004). By communicating with an
audience on a deeper emotional level, a speaker can make strong interpersonal ties with their audience (Riggio, 2004). Martin Luther King, Jr. has had plenty of life experience communicating with a very broad audience as a preacher appealing to audiences in many different ways, which is a qualification a leader should have. A leader must thread together a number of important qualifications, which begins with the innate ability to exert power “creating an emotional link between speaker and listeners,” (Young, 2016). The relationship Martin Luther King, Jr. built between himself and his audience demonstrated his intrinsic charisma. Historians are not the only individuals who documented King’s irrevocable charisma. A day after his “I have a dream” speech, the New York Times featured a front-page editorial documenting the historic event, placing a particular emphasis on King’s prudent contributions. The author of the article praised this oration, saying that until he spoke “the pilgrimage was merely a great spectacle,”(Kenworthy, 1963). MLK’s audience - both his followers and the media- regarded him highly as a result of his effective communication skills, which stemmed from his years of education.
The tradition of leadership was inherited through King’s upbringing and family, which contributed to the allure of his charm. The social sensitivity and emotional control King radiated is best attributed to these factors. His lineage of respected, well-educated preachers planted the seed for King’s future as a charismatic race leader. From a young age, King was submerged into a lifestyle of education and religiosity. Michael King, Sr., and his father-in-law, A.D. Williams, both modeled the way for King, serving as role models by crafting their own legacies heading the NAACP chapter and the Atlanta Civic and Political League (Jackson & Carson, 2008). The manner in which he was nurtured King’s educational aspirations.
Through a strong educational background, King’s academic achievements speak to his activism. He attended Atlanta University’s experimental private school, Morehouse College, and Boston University for his doctorate (Ling, 2015). This groomed King’s charisma, which is evident in his commitment to nonviolence through these extensive studies. In his autobiography, King notes, “The next stage of my intellectual pilgrimage to nonviolence came during my doctoral studies at Boston University. Here I had the opportunity to talk to many exponents of nonviolence, both Students and visitors at the campus,” (King, 1998). King’s education served as a resource in advancing his involvement in the civil rights movement.
His wealth of knowledge afforded him the ability to speak impromptu in “I have a dream,” using it as a tool to establish his charm. In a biography of Dr. King, Stephan Oates discusses how King “labored on his speech throughout the night,” yet fully abandoned script when speaking (Vander Lei & Miller, 1999). By “speaking from the heart”, as Oates described, King’s education informed not only the speech itself, but also altered the audience perceived him. The combination of Dr. King’s intellect and passion for religion was paramount to his transition to becoming an influential speaker.
While his academia informed his activism, King’s occupation also proved central to his social reform efforts.
While there were other prominent leaders at the time, many could not convey the same powerful messages as King. By relying on religious mediums and establishing his prophetic role, King surpasses other civil rights advocates of this time by assuming the role of a celestial figure. This tactic is vital in demonstrating charisma, as this approach is instrumental in addressing a religiously fervent audience. He casts himself beyond another ordinary agent of change; therefore, King appeals to the audience as more charismatic. MLK’s“Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a prime example of how his religious credentials qualify him to take on the role of a divine authority figure. Michael Leff contends that King, through the use of appeals to higher authority figures, “vindicates and explains his actions,” (Leff, 2004). King draws parallels between himself and eighth-century prophets and apostle Paul carrying the word of Jesus Christ (Leff, 2004). Therefore, he is “too compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown," (King,
1963).
King not only constructs his charisma through drawing this parallel, but he also uses mediums, such as sermons, to choose in the agency he wants his audience to associate him with. In his novel, “The Strength to Love,” King articulates, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,” (King, 1963). This translated in King’s favor when speaking at the March on Washington because his appeal to a higher authority and religious sermons reflected positively on his charisma. King’s familial background, scholastic achievements, and faith informed his civil rights activism in a number of ways. The combination of these three factors acts to dispel any question of doubt towards King’s charisma, while strategically constructing the foundation of King’s leadership.