March On Washington Speech Rhetorical Analysis

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In 1963, prominent civil rights leader, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia gave a speech to the numerous participants of the March on Washington movement. In his speech to those ardent supporters of civil liberty, King discussed his hopes and “dreams” for the salvation and freedom of his people in the United States of America. In his exceptional speech, Dr. King utilized the rhetorical strategies of Metaphor, Repetition, and Allusion to captivate his audience and to spread his message throughout the nation. Amongst his speech, Dr. King commands use of metaphors -- a comparison between two different things -- to inspire his audience deeply. In the beginning of the speech, King states that “five score years ago” Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which intended to free the Negro slaves and brought “a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.” However after many years his people were not entirely free, bringing increased meaning to the comparison of “captivity” to that of a “long night” and freedom to that of “a joyous daybreak.” King’s metaphor not only brings hope to those fighting for justice …show more content…

In his address, King calls for the audience to “go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, [and to] go back to South Carolina” to fight for the rights and privileges given to other citizens in the United States. Later on King states that “with this faith, [they] will be able to transform…the nation, with this faith, [they] will be…free one day.” Again, Dr. King uses repetition; this time appealing to the crowd’s religious views by stating with hope, faith and prayer, the oppressed can be freed. Repetition not only emphasizes his call to action but continually builds on King’s increasing passion; intensifying his milestone

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