Dr. Martin Luther King's speech, I Have a Dream
Introduction;
The famous speech of Martin Luther King is widely known for its rhetorical appeals exploited by the speaker to grasp the attention of the audience and provoking their thoughts and feelings. In the referred speech Martin Luther King invested huge effort to stir the awakening urge under the political and social influence of the time in the year1963. Martine Luther King writes and spoke the speech himself. Thus, the focus on logos, pathos and ethos with the use of symbolism, imagery and diction was duly justified to cast a hold on the audience. In the context of referred scenario an overview of the utilised rhetorical appeals will be helpful to gain an insight of the message and its focal point.
- Pathos; The speech aimed to stir the enthusiasm of the African American population of the time. Martin Luther King in his opening stated the gather as the greatest demonstration of freedom. It can be narrated that the use of pathos was evident from the very beginning of the speech A logic of his statement was referred as ''Emancipation Proclamation by him that lit the hope of Nigros in mass, bearing unjustice under the influence of racism. Martin Luther King focused over his agenda with repetitive use of words and phrases to mark his focal point with the use of anaphora.
He embedded the use of pathos to instill emotional appeal for the audience. He tried successfully to highlight his point of social segregation and injustice for Nigros with the use of sharp pathos. At a point states that, " Emancipation Proclamation" has been passed before a century, yet till that time the cast and generation have been facing the dilemma of discrimination. He marks his point with the statement, " “the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity”, “the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land".
- Ethos;
“There are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation”
Pertaining to the social and political state of the time along with the status of Martin Luther King as a civil right speaker the purpose of the speech of Martin Luther King was to unify the community against the injustice carried at that time for the Nigros. He amply used the Ethos in his speech to establish a strong image in the effort of building a leader – nation relationship with his audience. The use of the ethos enabled the speaker to move towards the aim of acquiring justice and equality with a nonviolent protest. Keeping in view the specific purpose of the ethos, it can be stated that Martin Luther King established his predertermined authorrity over his audience by focusing over the shared value of heritage and freedom.
The very commencement of his speech was with an elaboration of ethos by referring to the promises made by American Government in the shape of Emancipation Proclamation. Furthermore, his efforts to build his credibility with words and actions were fed by regular enthusiastic words witnessed from the very name of speech.However, the intensity of the Ethos were strongly backed by the outspoken and courageous personality of Martin Luther that costed him jail prison for simply speaking his mind with strong impact due to powerful use of rhetorics.
- Logos;
“The Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land”
Like other rhetorical components, the use of the Logos in the speech of Martin Luther King was influenced with the aim to determine the purpose of the movement. Luther King repeatedly displayed his anguish against the brutal behavior of American. He gave examples of preceding events of the movement in which American Police act brutally to disperse the peaceful demonstrations. He further elaborated on the actions and signs that were in practice as open denial of the emancipation proclamation . He stressed on the prophesy of equality over the world along with highlighting the contrary behaviour of American Government.
Conslusion;
Precisely, it can be concluded that the efficacy and influence of the speech of Martin luther King was greatly enhanced by the appropriate use of Martin Luther King. Through the use of rhetorical element Martin Luther King establishes the emotional and logical sequence adequately. His courageous and determining style won through the referred rhetorical elements connected him to his audience, creating a strong bond of credibility and obligation. Hence, the mentioned aspects could be regarded as the core features that earned :uther King's speech the most famous influencing speech of history. FThus, it was only the influencing aspect of his words and speeches that made him earn his target of earning the reputation of an equal and respectable community of America.
