Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. discusses segregation and inequalities of whites and blacks rights in his "I Have a Dream" speech. King's purpose is to fight for rights without violence and speak of the cruelty based on the color of their skin. He uses an intense and emotional tone as he reaches out to the racists by speaking of the struggles of segregation as well as reaching out to his fellow African Americans to seek equality without violence. Using imagery allows for King to be able to use the experiences he has to paint picture through his words for all to see. King describes some of the hardships that African Americans have had to endure such as "narrow jail cells" and "heavy with the fatigue of travel" (55-56, 64). Using the descriptive …show more content…

King uses similes to build upon the civil rights movement to show just how segregation is impacting society. King is trying to move along the civil rights movement yet segregation is holding it back and he describes the situation as how "'justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream'" (61-62). King is comparing how justice and righteousness will take their course to path of salvation for African Americans. It is only a matter of time before the justice reaches the African Americans as it is held up by laws of segregation. Aside from similes, metaphors also play a significant role in King's speech as he points out how strong African Americans must be in order to survive conditions in which they live. King describes the struggles of life as the "high plane of dignity and discipline" (42-43). African Americans must hold their head high as they go through life every single day in fear of being harmed and tormented because they wish to peacefully work for their rights. King is holding the pedestal of dignity and discipline high up enough where African Americans adapt to a life in which they are being stripping of their rights but are forced to continue …show more content…

King acknowledges that success cannot come without sacrifice and he is prepared to suffer for the better outcome. King describes the situation as the "sweltering summer" and "invigorating autumn of freedom and equality" (31-33). Without the torment endured during protest marches, the African Americans cannot show their peace for freedom as they prove they have done no wrong to receive the treatment they are forced to accept. King also opens up in the end to speak of a better tomorrow for all African American children where they can grow up without having to worry about their skin color. King describe his better tomorrow as a place with "little black boys and black girls" with "little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers" (86-87). A place where skin color does not matter, where children can play and thrive together. Instead of splitting everyone up, King was putting everything on the line to unite everyone no matter their

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