Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Speech

In his speech “I Have a Dream”, pastor and activist Martin Luther King, Jr. states the feelings and reasons why the African-American society will stand up against the racial segregation lived during the 1960’s on the United States. He represents this by exposing the problem of racial discrimination and inequality in which he and the black community were living by, calling for action using the peaceful protest the injustice committed to them, and showing the possibility for both the white and the black race to live in peace. King’s purpose is to assert the negative effects created by racism towards the lives of African-Americans, and to declare that racial equality is fundamental to achieve peace amongst the people, thus creating a better society for the future generations. Luther King speaks full of confidence throughout

Martin Luther King, Jr. addresses both the black and white communities to live in peace, by using powerful diction, he describes both sides in different ways but with one only purpose; to touch the heart of the audience and convey to them that a world where whites and blacks can live in peace is possible. Also, Luther King’s speech is full of repetitions, that allow him to reaffirm his point of view. For instance, he uses anaphora in different sentences, like “One hundred years later” or “Now is the time” to call for attention and interest of the audience, while the stanza “Let freedom ring[...]” creates a more rhythmical sound over the end of his speech. After getting the audience’s attention, Dr. King proceeded to persuade and get into the feelings of the people. That is why, Dr. King’s emotionally charged diction conveyed the entire world that racism and segregation were hurting the black society. He uses powerful descriptions to support his ideas. For example, the negative connotations towards the situation of the Negro, describing it as “crippled”, “Seared in the flames”, lived in poverty”, and as a “shameful