In terms of this paper we will discuss the speech of Martin Luther King Jr. called " I have a dream". We will discuss the author's usage of various rhetorical devices and techniques, analyze them and make an attempt to understand the purpose of their usage.
Martin Luther King Jr. is well known around the world owing to his activity and work in 1960s. He was one of the brightest personalities in the fight for the civil rights of Afro-Americans and his speech "I have a dream" is a great example of his position concerning the issue. In addition, it is possible to say the M.L .King's speech reflected ideas and wishes of many Afro-Americans. His speech was an inspiration and a certain push for thousands of people.
Without any doubts, "I have a dream" can serve as a great example of influential and inspiring speech and that is why it is extremely interesting to analyze the speech from the perspective of rhetoric.
Before we begin rhetorical analysis, it is essential to mention several general aspects of the speech. Thus, the speech was proclaimed in Washington and the aim of the orator was to inspire for great changes all population of the USA, both black and white citizens. It is crucial to note that Martin Luther King was against violence and his intention was to induce people to active, but non-violent actions. Although the speech was aimed at all population of the United States, it is still possible to say that Martin Luther King was especially interested in politicians and law makers. This can be proved by the fact that the speech was proclaimed in the capital of the country.
Thus the genre of the essay is a blend of narrative speech with argumentation. The author of the speech uses numerous examples of personal thoughts and ideas, but at the same time in the speech one can found a lot of appellations and calls to civil actions. M. L. King Jr. often uses condemnation of crimes, which are aimed at black population of America. "I have a dream" is filled with dark imagery, the author uses a variety of religious images. Formal and informal styles are interlaced in the speech, but of cause the percentage of informality in the speech is rather small. A lot of specialists say that the tone of the famous speech can be compared with the speech "Inaugural address" of J. Kennedy.
The style of the speech can be characterized as unique, filled with embellishment of a variety of rhetorical techniques. As far as we discuss not the article, but the speech, which was orally delivered, it is crucial to say a few words about vocal intonations. The repetition, which is used by the speaker, adds certain rhyme to the speech and makes it more influential and memorable at the same time. The rhyme changes throughout the speech. If the first part of the speech is slow and in some way methodical, the second part can be described as more extemporaneous, fast and lively.
The language of the speech is vivid and paramount. The speaker uses such complicated images as "seared in the flames", etc. Thanks to such method, M. L. King adds more life to his speech, the images become alive and more clear to the audience.
One of the most widespread of rhetorical devices is anaphora. Most frequently Martin Luther King uses repetition of the following phrases: I have a dream, one hundred years later, let freedom ring, free at last. With the help of these sentences M.L.King added certain rhyme to the speech, stressed the most important ideas throughout the speech.
When listening to the speech, it is possible to single out several ideas, which appear to be the most central. Thus, for instance, the author of the speech believes that the changes can be done in order to make black people free. There is no need to postpone these actions, people should start fighting for freedom right now. All citizens of the USA should be equal and free and there should be no difference between black and white population. Black people should have the same rights and freedoms and this message should be spread around all layers of American population. Martin Luther King calls for actions right now.
In order to make the speech more persuasive, M.L. King Jr. uses a wide range of biblical images and codes. For example, "No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls downlike the waters of righteousness like a mighty stream" (M.L.King Jr, p. 4). Until justice rolls downlike the waters of righteousness like a mighty stream is used from Amos 5:24.
The use of Biblical images and allusions was one of the clues to success. There is a suggestion that his reference to Bible allowed M.L. King to make his ideas more appealing and clear both for ordinary Afro-Americans and biblical scholars, who could understand his allusions in a more deep way.
There are many historical allusions in the speech. The first and the most clear among them is a historical allusion, which refers to Abraham Lincoln. This allusion can be found in the following sentence "Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation" (M.L.King Jr, p. 1). The usage of such device can be ascribed to another rhetoric device, pathos. Martin Luther King on purpose uses such historical allusion, because he believes that such reminiscences can also remind people that their fight for rights has a long history and a lot of respected personalities fought for their rights.
"When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir" is another example of historical allusion and with its help Martin Luther King makes an attempt to remind American population that even colonists fought for the equal rights many years ago (M. L. King Jr, p. 1).
Martin Luther King uses pathos in his paper quite often. In the end of his speech he resorts to this method, when discussing life of black people, their inability to find any good work, etc. It can be said that the end of the speech is very emotional and impressive. For this purpose, he ends the speech with the words from an old spiritual negro song " “Freed at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we are free at last".
It is essential to say, that the last seven minutes of the speech are considered to be the most influential. Having deviated from his plan, Martin Luther King allowed himself to speak from his heart and such decision was the most right, because people could see that he was speaking from his heart.
Works Cited
King, M. L. Jr. (1963). "I have a dream" Web National Archives. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. <http:// www.archives.gov12/>.
