What Are The Rhetorical Devices In I Have A Dream Speech
On August 28, 1963, America was gifted with Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, given from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Throughout his entire speech, the crowd was heavily moved and it was apparent from the way that they clapped in admiration. The speech was a highlight in the movement of freedom and equality based on the turnout, and show of support of the movement during the speech. The intended audience was far surpassed with over three-hundred thousand people from all ethnicities gathered in Washington to hear the historical speech. At this point in time, the Civil Rights Movement was at a full swing. Black and white people alike had grouped together to get the equal rights for the persecuted black people spread throughout
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He heavily uses allusions that relate to the bible, which appeals to the vast majority of the audience, and gives them an image that they can picture in their minds. He talks about Abraham Lincoln, calling him “a great American”. He paints vivid pictures of people, places, and the persecution in America. He says, “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” He was inspired to say this by the Biblical scriptures of Amos 5:24. He relates things to joyousness and uses metaphors that describe what the Negro population of slave times went through by saying, “Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.” He directly relates where they’re at now compared to where they were, showing that they have made big steps towards equality. One of his most heavily used rhetoric devices is anaphora. He uses it when he says, “Now is the time”, “Go back”, “let freedom ring”, and the most famous one he used, “I have a dream”. This moves the audience heavily. Simply using it shows determination to get something done. By him saying, “I have a dream”, he is showing dedication, determination, and a strong will to move forward and get the liberty he talks about repeatedly. All in all Martin Luther King Jr. was an amazing man, and an amazing speaker. His use of rhetoric devices and references to both historical documents and scripture made his speeches both relatable, and very moving. To this day we still use this speech for examples of the fight for liberty, and for incredible
He heavily uses allusions that relate to the bible, which appeals to the vast majority of the audience, and gives them an image that they can picture in their minds. He talks about Abraham Lincoln, calling him “a great American”. He paints vivid pictures of people, places, and the persecution in America. He says, “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” He was inspired to say this by the Biblical scriptures of Amos 5:24. He relates things to joyousness and uses metaphors that describe what the Negro population of slave times went through by saying, “Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.” He directly relates where they’re at now compared to where they were, showing that they have made big steps towards equality. One of his most heavily used rhetoric devices is anaphora. He uses it when he says, “Now is the time”, “Go back”, “let freedom ring”, and the most famous one he used, “I have a dream”. This moves the audience heavily. Simply using it shows determination to get something done. By him saying, “I have a dream”, he is showing dedication, determination, and a strong will to move forward and get the liberty he talks about repeatedly. All in all Martin Luther King Jr. was an amazing man, and an amazing speaker. His use of rhetoric devices and references to both historical documents and scripture made his speeches both relatable, and very moving. To this day we still use this speech for examples of the fight for liberty, and for incredible