Fifty-two years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. introduced an ideology of harmonious brotherhood that mesmerized millions. He is specifically remembered by the series of words he spoke in his, “I Have a Dream” speech, in which he professes his longing for unity and equal rights for all. King proclaimed his dream, “...a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character” (King 1667). The language King uses to construct “I Have a Dream,” gives words to the emotional depths of racial inequality, something no other had done at the time. King intended for his words to be further meditated: shining a light on the fact that a cruel struggle is ongoing.
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“I Have a Dream” is composed with imagery, symbolism, anaphora and antithesis, as well as “modes of persuasion,” logos, ethos, and pathos. By using these literary techniques, King exemplifies how simply using words can spark an uproar in the hearts and minds of a nation for change. Imagery and symbolism are two of King’s most powerful tools, engaging his audiences’ deepest emotions. By utilizing literary schemes such as these, it is easy for his audience to paint vivid mental images and thus be moved to action. Both imagery and symbolism are dispersed throughout the speech. Imagery appears in metaphors such as, “desolate valley of segregation,” “quicksands of racial injustice” and “solid rock of brotherhood” (King 1666). Quicksand, for example, creates the visualization of being hopelessly stuck within racial …show more content…
Anaphora is described as, “a poetic device in which successive lines begin with the same word or phrase” (Sauer). While antithesis, is defined, “A term used most frequently in poetry in reference to a parallel statement that demonstrates the polar differences between two people or things” (Werlock). These methods serve to reinforce the message in a manner that an individual is unable to disregard. “Now is the time” and “I have a dream that..,” are King’s key representations of anaphora in “I Have a Dream.” They both act as a call of action, evoking a sense of urgency, furthermore, a sense of power. Repetition of introductory phrases in consecutive sentences is rooted in the Bible: it is sure that King, a devout Christian, knew this. Embedding his speech with this language was a smart act, considering the Bible is one of the most historically influential works of all time. It would be believed that King did this because he held a firm belief in the capability of this language, and experienced its power himself through Christianity. Additionally, to progress his theme, Luther relies essentially on antithesis, “not the color of their skin, but the content of their character” (King 1667) “not an end, but a beginning.” (King 1666). Using this tactic, he is deliberately placing contrasting ideas side by side, perhaps hinting to the
“I Have a Dream” is composed with imagery, symbolism, anaphora and antithesis, as well as “modes of persuasion,” logos, ethos, and pathos. By using these literary techniques, King exemplifies how simply using words can spark an uproar in the hearts and minds of a nation for change. Imagery and symbolism are two of King’s most powerful tools, engaging his audiences’ deepest emotions. By utilizing literary schemes such as these, it is easy for his audience to paint vivid mental images and thus be moved to action. Both imagery and symbolism are dispersed throughout the speech. Imagery appears in metaphors such as, “desolate valley of segregation,” “quicksands of racial injustice” and “solid rock of brotherhood” (King 1666). Quicksand, for example, creates the visualization of being hopelessly stuck within racial …show more content…
Anaphora is described as, “a poetic device in which successive lines begin with the same word or phrase” (Sauer). While antithesis, is defined, “A term used most frequently in poetry in reference to a parallel statement that demonstrates the polar differences between two people or things” (Werlock). These methods serve to reinforce the message in a manner that an individual is unable to disregard. “Now is the time” and “I have a dream that..,” are King’s key representations of anaphora in “I Have a Dream.” They both act as a call of action, evoking a sense of urgency, furthermore, a sense of power. Repetition of introductory phrases in consecutive sentences is rooted in the Bible: it is sure that King, a devout Christian, knew this. Embedding his speech with this language was a smart act, considering the Bible is one of the most historically influential works of all time. It would be believed that King did this because he held a firm belief in the capability of this language, and experienced its power himself through Christianity. Additionally, to progress his theme, Luther relies essentially on antithesis, “not the color of their skin, but the content of their character” (King 1667) “not an end, but a beginning.” (King 1666). Using this tactic, he is deliberately placing contrasting ideas side by side, perhaps hinting to the