“I Have a Dream” by Martin Lunther King, Article Review Example

Summary

The process for transformational leadership, which includes identifying and articulating a vision, is present in Dr. King’s speech. Students will be able to gain a greater understanding of the need for a strategic vision and its effective communication to its followers by studying his speech as well as its historical context. The semantic analysis of Dr. King’s speech revealed that the excellent piece of literature uses certain pronouns and words that have both negative and positive connotation along with distinguished vocabulary that grabs the audience’s attention. The different phrases and words throughout the speech also emphasize movement and the moment’s urgency. The message the speaker is trying to covey is dramatized by it. Dr. King’s message is enforced and the aspects mentioned are stylistically underlined with the use of metaphors, examples and repetitions. The audience and readers are able to picture memories of racial segregation and some are even able to remember their own experiences with oppression.

Moreover, the significant documents as well as phrases from the Bible that Dr. King refers to helps give a sense of authority and underline the truth in his words. It is easy to follow his arguments because they are structured in a logical manner. In conclusion, “I Have a Dream” is a rather impressive speech that helped ignite a passion for change in the masses who heard it in front of the Lincoln Memorial in August of 1963. That historical document is still able to inspire us today.

Context

Publication: EBSCOhost an online database which provides different articles and information regarding every subject.

Interpretation

Although Dr. King’s speech was mostly aimed at his fellow African Americans, he also wanted to reach his Caucasian supports because he knew that they “cannot walk alone” in the movement. To a certain point, the reader needs to know about historical documents, such as the Emancipation Proclamation, Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It is best if the reader has some background knowledge about such documents in order to fully comprehend Dr. King’s arguments. Some personal experiences of the readers or listeners might be needed to be able to fully identify with the injustices African Americans in the United States have faced. The speech was meant to motivate the somewhat aware audience who were against the segregation within American during the 1960s. The idea of vivid action is supported by Dr. King’s speech so that the basic rights guaranteed to every citizen, regardless of their race or religion, are put into practice. The unjust conditions that people of color faced were dramatized throughout his speech as the discrimination African Americans had to go through was the prominent issue. Dr. King talks about the oppression and injustice racial segregation has caused. Dr. King commands his audience a brighter future in return for the actions they take.

While the illocutionary act amounts to enlighten persuade and inspire the audience, the elocutionary act takes it even further. It makes something stir up inside Dr. King’s audience. As an author, he has chosen his works well and wanted the crowd that had gathered to reach in some manner after listening to him (Vail, 2006) .

Examples

In his speech he mentioned the rise up of nation which means a revolution indicator, threat to white people, which can be frightening but is treated by following words.

“and live out the true meaning of its creed: “we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal” (King’s speech, 2009)

A straight quotation from Jones Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US President and author of the Declaration of Independence, definitely will be approved even as right by everyone. Bring dignity to the speech.

‘Creed’ has religious connotations” (King’s speech, 2009)

Significantly this is not real now, even after 150 years when it was said.

“the sons of former slaves” (King’s speech, 2009)

slaves’ signifies unjustness and is a definitely evocative term for both of the black and white people (even if in different methods). Bringing up slavery shows that it is still recommended today.

“and the sons of former slave-owners” (King’s speech, 2009)

This sentence refer to owners of the slaves. Owners were white and black and white are brought in together. Repeating of ‘slave’ hammers home the point. ‘Sons’ signifies both the weight of the past and the family obligation.

Slave-owners were white. Black and white are thus brought together. Repetition of ‘slave’

“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi,” (King’s speech, 2009

The ‘dream’ phrase was repeated to complete the triple. ‘even’ identifies that Mississippi is the worst example of racism. Even though this is also consists in the dream.

 “a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression” (King’s speech, 2009)

This phrase means that southerner state is very hot and changed into the a strong metaphor like oppressive heat.

 “will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice” ((King’s speech, 2009)

Release again. After a tension-filled early part of the sentence, it ends with hope. ‘Transformed’ implies deep change.

Conclusion

Substantially Understanding the rhetorical influence of “I Have a Dream” requires a detailed reflection of the contextual circumstances and regulations that helped to produce the speech. Investigation of the rhetorical circumstances definitely suggests that some of the speech’s success can be assigned to two preceding events. The interrelation of these rhetorical and historic precedents created an “consolidative framework” for the speech that was consonant with the purposes of the speech and helped lead the way for its prominent approval.

The King’s speech is lovingly recalled due to the fact that it is so precisely indicated the tones constructed by the March. At that time, all the reporters of newspaper and magazines compare the event to regular Sunday church service or some kind a picnic. King was non-violence preacher, who was just trying to be heard and his message would be understood. King brought a sense of the sacred to what was originally conceived as a politically secular and economically motivated protest (Godwin, et. al, 2011).

References

King, J. (2009). I Have a Dream Speech. I Have A Dream (Primary Source Document), 1.

Godwin, J. L., Houghton, J. D., Neck, C. P., & Mohan, E. C. (2011). Dr. Martin Luther King,

Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech as a Tool for Teaching Transformational Leadership and Vision. Journal Of Organizational Behavior Education, 423-41.

Vail, M. (2006). The “Integrative” Rhetoric of Martin Luther King Jr.’s I

“Have a Dream” Speech. Rhetoric & Public Affairs, 9(1), 51-78.