When studying American literature, one characteristic commonly examined is the method in which literature reflects the social contingencies of that time period. However, in American history, it is also important to examine literature written by oppressed and often underrepresented groups. The impact of a Native American oral tradition and African American vernacular culture in literature brings awareness to the social injustices and indignities they experienced (Virgil). Pieces such as, “A Century of Dishonor “by Helen Hunt Jackson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s speech “I Have a Dream” speak about the prejudices ethnic minorities face. Although both pieces share a parallel theme, their contrasting tones and figurative language express the
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This is evident when Jackson describes the extent to which the natives are starving: “I have known whole families to live for days together on nothing but half-dried cornstalks” (Jackson, 1154). This vivid illustration shows the extent to which the Ponca were suffering from the negligence of the U.S government. Additionally, Jackson relies heavily on empirical evidence to validate the theme through an objective lens. She bluntly reports the negligence the Ponca Tribes faced as “nothing had been done for them under the treaty”, and affirms how this neglect impacted them.(Jackson, 1152). Jackson 's ability to bluntly state empirical facts, yet still pull at the heartstrings of readers is what makes her narrative so resonating. Yet, in “I Have a Dream”, King uses several metaphors and symbols to represent the prejudice African Americans face, and this figurative language can be seen in almost every part of his speech. Most notably, Kings uses nature as the metaphor for the state of black people and his outlook for the future. For example, King compares injustice do a desert and justice to an oasis: “I have a dream that one day ... a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice (King, 587).” He makes several metaphors like these vivify the African American experience, and doing so he demonstrates the power of justice and righteousness. Additionally, King has several examples of personification, allusion, similes, hyperbole and parallelism to give his message more
This is evident when Jackson describes the extent to which the natives are starving: “I have known whole families to live for days together on nothing but half-dried cornstalks” (Jackson, 1154). This vivid illustration shows the extent to which the Ponca were suffering from the negligence of the U.S government. Additionally, Jackson relies heavily on empirical evidence to validate the theme through an objective lens. She bluntly reports the negligence the Ponca Tribes faced as “nothing had been done for them under the treaty”, and affirms how this neglect impacted them.(Jackson, 1152). Jackson 's ability to bluntly state empirical facts, yet still pull at the heartstrings of readers is what makes her narrative so resonating. Yet, in “I Have a Dream”, King uses several metaphors and symbols to represent the prejudice African Americans face, and this figurative language can be seen in almost every part of his speech. Most notably, Kings uses nature as the metaphor for the state of black people and his outlook for the future. For example, King compares injustice do a desert and justice to an oasis: “I have a dream that one day ... a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice (King, 587).” He makes several metaphors like these vivify the African American experience, and doing so he demonstrates the power of justice and righteousness. Additionally, King has several examples of personification, allusion, similes, hyperbole and parallelism to give his message more