Martin Luther King Speech Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Martin Luther King Jr. gave this speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. In this speech, he states the struggles that African Americans face, due to discrimination and racial inequality in America. King held many peaceful protests concerning these issues, but no matter how peaceful they were, there was always police brutality and discrimination against them. He had hoped that all Americans, who heard the speech, would be touched by it and would take action on how poorly they were treated. The rhetorical devices that Martin Luther
used metaphors in his speech to connect with his audience on a deeper emotional level. For example, the first metaphor used was “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood” (par 6). In this statement, racial injustice is being compared to quicksand, which is highly unstable and once you get in too deep you cannot get back out. But with the help of others, you can be lifted from the “quicksand” into a strong, solid brotherhood free of racism. The second metaphor that was used was, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood” (par 16). Here the “red hills of Georgia” symbolize the landscape of racial injustice, while “the table of brotherhood” represents the desired peace and harmony among all people, no matter the race. Metaphors play a big role in this speech by vividly illustrating Martin Luther King Jr’s message of hope and equality for African Americans. In this speech, pathos is also used to get emotional responses from his audience. By appealing to shared values and experiences, people share more empathy and
We cannot turn back” (par. 10). In this quote, Martin emphasizes the importance of the civil rights movement, urging for unity and peace. By using the term “We” he makes everyone feel a part, so therefore it appeals to their emotions more and inspires them to continue trying for justice and equality. Without using pathos in his speech, Martin would not be able to connect as deeply to others. The last rhetorical device that was used by Martin Luther King Jr. is Anaphora. With the usage of anaphoras, King can get his point across further by repeating the same phrases. In paragraphs 17-24, King says “I have a dream” at the beginning of each sentence. Throughout the speech, King repeatedly states that he has a dream, a dream of a country where there is peace and you are not judged for the color of your skin. In paragraph 6, King repetitively says, “now is the time.” These phrases emphasize his main message but also give off a sense of urgency. By using anaphoras throughout the speech, he effectively shows his call to action, inspiring his audience to join him in the fight for equality and