Figurative Language In Martin Luther King's Speech

One of the literary devices King used in his writing is metaphor. For example, in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, he says, "Let us all hope that the dark clouds

"I Have A Dream" is a mesmerizing speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was delivered to the thousands of Americans on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington. Aimed at the entire nation, King’s main purpose in this speech was to convince his audience to demand racial justice towards the mistreated African Americans and to stand up together for the rights afforded to African American under the Constitution. To further convey this purpose more effectively, King cleverly makes use of the rhetorical devices — ethos, pathos and logos — using figurative language such as metaphors and repetition as well as various other techniques e.g. organization, parallel construction and choice of title.

From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial more than forty years ago, Martin Luther King electrified America with his momentous "I Have a Dream" speech. This speech demanded racial justice towards the mistreated black community of America. The theme of the speech was that all humans were created equal and that this should be the case for the future of America. King's words proved to touch the hearts of millions of people and gave the nation a vocabulary to express what was happening to the black Americans. This did not happen by chance. Martin Luther King's speech was carefully constructed so it would have the most appropriate diction to propose his facts and ideas. His speech involved multiple different literary techniques which were very

On August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a 17-minute public speech to over 200,000 supporters of the Civil Rights Movement. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was a response to continued racial bias nearly 100 years after the end of slavery and a call to action, meant to unify the country in the fight to end segregation. King used his time at the historic event to urge Americans, of all races, to work together throughout the country to ensure equality for all citizens. Though King’s delivery of the speech is widely recognized as impactful because of his passionate sermon-like delivery, the context of the speech contains many rhetorical components. Those rhetorical efforts

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most successful and most legendary speeches in United States history. Martin Luther King Jr. was a masterful speaker, who established a strong command of rhetorical strategies. By his eloquent use of ethos, logos, and pathos, as well as his command of presentation skills and rhetorical devices, King was able to persuade his generation that "the Negro is not free" (King 1). His speech became the rallying cry for civil rights and lives on as an everlasting masterpiece.

Martin Luther King Jr. was the man who wrote the speech entitled “I have a dream” and presented it to nearly 250,000 people on August 23, 1963. In that speech, MLK Jr. used several different types of figurative language/rhetorical devices in order to convey his message to the people on a deeper level. These devices include personification, allusion, symbolism, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, and anaphora.

When informing Americans across the nation of his dream, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proposed an unforgettable speech that would one day change The United States of America forever. In analyzing “I Have a Dream”, there are a few rhetorical purposes that are reflected throughout. These purposes are repeatedly focusing in on a particular audience in which King speaks to. Using different types of appeals and literary elements, his speech produced a meaningful purpose that the audience could relate to.

In a period of time where few were willing to listen, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood proudly, gathered and held the attention of over 200,000 people. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was very effective and motivational for African Americans in 1963. Many factors affected Kings’ speech in a very positive manner; the great emotion behind the words, delivering the speech on the steps of the memorial of the President who defeated slavery. And not only was this message beautifully written for the hope of African Americans, but the underlying message for white people, revolution and peace. To stimulate emotion from both parties of his listeners, King used a selection of rhetorical devices such as allusions to historical

In Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, King makes use of an innumerable amount of rhetorical devices that augment the overall understanding and flow of the speech. King makes the audience feel an immense amount of emotion due to the outstanding use of pathos in his speech. King also generates a vast use of rhetorical devices including allusion, anaphora, and antithesis. The way that King conducted his speech adds to the comprehension and gives the effect that he wants to rise above the injustices of racism and segregation that so many people are subjected to on a daily basis.

After reading and analyzing Dr.Kings “Remaining Awake during a Revolution” commencement speech that he presented at Oberlin College during his graduation ceremony; he wanted the people to have a good visual on what he was explaining and talking about. King wanted to inform the people about what was going; so he used allusions, statics, and logos.

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letters to Birmingham,” he uses figurative language and literary devices to show the effects of segregation. By using figurative language he helps the reader get a more detail and visual description of King’s purpose. For example, King states “…we were confronted with blasted hopes, and the dark shadow of a deep disappointment settled upon us.” Later he says “Individuals may see the moral light and give up their unjust posture…” King is using these metaphors to contrast each other. By doing this he is able to compare his feelings toward racism and people who believe in equality.

Dr. Martin Luther King had a very big meaning behind his speech. When giving speeches he was very confident and influential to his audience. In his speech he utilizes many different types of figurative language to describe the current events. For example, King used comparisons and allusions to show people the nation that they lived in. For example, he says there should be freedom in every state, from every hill,, valley ,and mountain top.

“[The] Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation,”.stated Martin Luther King, Jr. in his speech “I Have A Dream,”.which he gave on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, during a march on Washington (1).King’s purpose in his speech was to expound on the need for change in civil rights, especially for black Americans. By utilizing repetition, an extended metaphor and light and dark imagery,King connects logically and emotionally to his audience to evoke a sense of power to overcome racism.

In 1963 Martin Luther King gave a speech that has come to be known as the “I Have A Dream” speech. This speech was given during a time of segregation. At the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, at the end of a long march to Washington, King wanted the audience is all of america. to know his purpose is to explain that nothing has changed. and he did that using he used repetition,similes, and metaphors.One way that King achieves his purpose of is through imagery. The use of imagery is to emphasize his point When King “ The negro live on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of prosperity.” he is emphasizing the point that they are all alone even though the is an ocean of people. This is imagery.Another way King achieves his

The speech “I Have a Dream” was both written and presented by Historical Figure and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the midst of the vietnam war and the civil rights movement, the speech was given in the summer of 1963 on the front steps of the lincoln memorial in Washington D.C. King delivers his speech while employing several literary devices such as anaphora, alliteration, and especially metaphors to convey the message of the speech to his audience. Through his use of these literary devices, King motivates his audience and persuades listeners to follow him in the civil rights movement.