When thinking about influential speakers in history, there are a few that stick out to almost everyone, including Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and John F. Kennedy. Though these were influential when speaking, Martin Luther King Jr. brought to life the very words he spoke. Through many trials, Dr. King always spoke words of encouragement and peace to the people listening. No matter how bad conditions were, Dr. King spoke with truthfulness and confidence no matter the circumstance, and this is why he is and always will be remembered. Through his words, many people were brought together no matter their beliefs or color. One monumental speech given by Dr. King was named “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”. Reading this speech, it is imperative
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This speech was given in Memphis, Tennessee, a major town in the south racially torn over their views. Also, it is important to note this would be the last speech Dr. King would give before his assassination the following day. Speaking mostly to an African American crowd, he makes many points to show they should keep fighting for their rights. In paragraphs two through eight, he uses allusions to to say where he would travel if he had the chance. A common theme in these places is that all include important times in history, where major events and changes occured. This is important to note because he is trying to convey that they are in a time of a major change, just like the places he wanted to visit. Next, he uses hyperboles to show major exaggeration, which adds strength to his speech by expressing how much he really wants to accomplish this goal. In paragraph 12, he uses the hyperbole “ their whole world is doomed”, speaking of African Americans. He uses this to show devastation, even though their world really is not going to be ruined. Also, he uses similes to compare words or objects. This is also very powerful because he uses them to get a point across. In “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, he says “let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”. He says this in paragraph 23, talking about how preachers need to rise up and tell right from wrong.This is monumental in that he uses an earthly example to illustrate how he would like to see justice and righteousness in everybody. Last, he uses repetition repeatedly to try to get a point across. One of the most notable times he uses this is when he repeats “If I had sneezed.” He is referring to when he was stabbed, and if he would have sneezed he would not be there today. However, he kept fighting, just like the people in front of him need to do. There are many more rhetorical devices used, but these stick out when reading
This speech was given in Memphis, Tennessee, a major town in the south racially torn over their views. Also, it is important to note this would be the last speech Dr. King would give before his assassination the following day. Speaking mostly to an African American crowd, he makes many points to show they should keep fighting for their rights. In paragraphs two through eight, he uses allusions to to say where he would travel if he had the chance. A common theme in these places is that all include important times in history, where major events and changes occured. This is important to note because he is trying to convey that they are in a time of a major change, just like the places he wanted to visit. Next, he uses hyperboles to show major exaggeration, which adds strength to his speech by expressing how much he really wants to accomplish this goal. In paragraph 12, he uses the hyperbole “ their whole world is doomed”, speaking of African Americans. He uses this to show devastation, even though their world really is not going to be ruined. Also, he uses similes to compare words or objects. This is also very powerful because he uses them to get a point across. In “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, he says “let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”. He says this in paragraph 23, talking about how preachers need to rise up and tell right from wrong.This is monumental in that he uses an earthly example to illustrate how he would like to see justice and righteousness in everybody. Last, he uses repetition repeatedly to try to get a point across. One of the most notable times he uses this is when he repeats “If I had sneezed.” He is referring to when he was stabbed, and if he would have sneezed he would not be there today. However, he kept fighting, just like the people in front of him need to do. There are many more rhetorical devices used, but these stick out when reading