Cash a check – King uses this phrase to introduce his analogy of what the civil rights movement is doing to establish its rights in America. He uses this phrase because cashing a check is something his American audience is familiar with doing. He is trying to accomplish the actions of the civil rights movement, the claiming of equal rights, as something every American should be able to do.
Magnificent – King uses this word to describe the “words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.” He is trying to accomplish establishing his respect for these documents and to align himself with the mainstream principles of America. He is establishing himself as someone who understands, believes in, and seeks to promote American democratic ideals.
Promissory note – King uses this phrase as part of his analogy of the civil rights movement to describe what the places of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are in his analogy. He is trying to accomplish getting across the idea that the contents of these documents are a promise to all Americans.
Every American – King reminds his audience with this phrase that the rights and independence grated by the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are meant for every American, not just some Americans. He is trying to establish further support for his future arguments by discussing the basic equality given to American citizens by these documents.
Defaulted – King uses this word to describe the state of things for the civil rights movement as part of his check/promissory note analogy. He is trying to accomplish showing his audience that this is a very serious problem, but that it has a remedy. The use of this word questions the honor of a nation that is not meeting its obligations to its citizens.
Works Cited
King, Martin Luther , Jr. I Have a Dream. 28 Aug. 1963.
