“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, is the name of the final speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, at Mason Temple on April, 3, 1968. The speech motivates listeners to fight against social injustice even at the darkest of times, and to push forward until the light can shine through even the darkest of areas. MLK uses imagery, simile, and antithesis to get his points across to the audience without having it obvious and bland. As well as to get the audience to pay more attention and pull them into what is stated.
The Parthenon, Plato, the early 30’s: These are just a few of the images Dr. King uses within the opening paragraph. Imagery can consist of sentences containing visually descriptive or figurative language. Imagery can be used to explain something symbolic or create an image in the listener’s mind. He lists revolutionaries, leaders, and peacemakers who contributed to the evolution of society such as Plato and Lincoln. He tells the audience he would take a “mental flight” to get the audience to imagine what he is saying. He would take the listeners with him to see revolutionary philosophers “assembled around the Parthenon as they discussed the great and eternal issue of reality.” Later he goes on to say that he would travel to
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King goes on to state, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” This works because it gives these items something everyone can relate to or imagine. Like water, justice can be strong enough to change people. Justice is also natural and essential for people to thrive. And, finally, according to King, Justice is clear. Justice should flow like water and righteousness roar like a mighty stream. Martin Luther King uses this to get people’s attention, as well as to explain and emphasize in a way that is easily