I Have a Dream Critique
Introduction
The speech ‘I have a dream’ is one of the most memorable speeches of all the times. This meaningful emotional speech was delivered by Dr.Martin Luther King Jr, on 28 August 1963. He delivered it from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C. during the massive “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” In this speech Martin Luther King called for racial equality and an end to discrimination since Afro Americans were deprived of their rights even equal right were given them by Abraham Lincoln. It is also very important to note that more than 200,000 people gathered to listen to his speech during the ‘March’, including a good number of white men who were against racial discrimination. The speech was also ranked the top American speech of the 20th century by a 1999 poll of scholars of public address. Many scholars have examined this speech from various perspectives.
I have a dream- Text
The speech was a significant moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. It contains around 1,660 words. At first it was titled "Normalcy, Never Again." The first drafts never included the phrase ‘I have a dream’. Dr. King had already delivered a speech similar to this, in Detroit in June 1963 during his march on Woodward Avenue. It is believed that well known title “I have a dream” came from the greatly improvised content and delivery of that speech. It is also said that close to the end of the speech, famous Afro American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson shouted to Dr. King from the multitude asking him to tell them about his dream. Afterwards Dr.King started punctuating his points with “I have a dream”.
Tone of the Speech
It is very interesting to note that Dr.King uses very powerful images and uplifting language to create a persuasive and moving speech. He has used a very powerful language and an optimistic tone. If we read the text we can understand that he has developed the speech to persuade people and thus to bring change. It gave a great
The speech ‘I have a dream’ is one of the most memorable speeches of all the times. This meaningful emotional speech was delivered by Dr.Martin Luther King Jr, on 28 August 1963. He delivered it from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C. during the massive “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” In this speech Martin Luther King called for racial equality and an end to discrimination since Afro Americans were deprived of their rights even equal right were given them by Abraham Lincoln. It is also very important to note that more than 200,000 people gathered to listen to his speech during the ‘March’, including a good number of white men who were against racial discrimination. The speech was also ranked the top American speech of the 20th century by a 1999 poll of scholars of public address. Many scholars have examined this speech from various perspectives.
I have a dream- Text
The speech was a significant moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. It contains around 1,660 words. At first it was titled "Normalcy, Never Again." The first drafts never included the phrase ‘I have a dream’. Dr. King had already delivered a speech similar to this, in Detroit in June 1963 during his march on Woodward Avenue. It is believed that well known title “I have a dream” came from the greatly improvised content and delivery of that speech. It is also said that close to the end of the speech, famous Afro American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson shouted to Dr. King from the multitude asking him to tell them about his dream. Afterwards Dr.King started punctuating his points with “I have a dream”.
Tone of the Speech
It is very interesting to note that Dr.King uses very powerful images and uplifting language to create a persuasive and moving speech. He has used a very powerful language and an optimistic tone. If we read the text we can understand that he has developed the speech to persuade people and thus to bring change. It gave a great