Synthesis Of I Have A Dream

Surname 1

Name

Professor

Course

Date

Synthesis of I have a Dream

Different authors of books, poems, stories, and other literary sources explore their ideas,

stances, and points of view. They select their writing style and word choices based on their

targeted audience. The lack of proper planning can interfere with the coherence, quality, and

organization of the entire piece of work. Consequently, proper preparation enables the reader to

establish the purpose of the piece of work since it communicates the author’s idea with clarity,

completeness, consideration, correctness, and courtesy. In his speech, I Have A Dream, Martin

Luther King uses a persuasive voice with supporting phenomena in the pursuit for the freedom

and equal rights for all Americans, especially, African-Americans.

A Suitable Title

The title I Have A Dream is an indication of the King’s wishes and hopes for the American

society. This phrase is repeated throughout the poem to illuminate and put more accentuation on

the issues of concern. This title can be referred back to the coining of the American Dream in

1931 with the main aim of creating a land that supports the betterment and richness of the lives

of all individuals (Josiah and Oghenerho 44). According to this dream, every American should

access opportunity based on his or her level of achievement and ability. Clearly, by the time

King is writing his work, this has not been realized since the people of color do not enjoy the

same status, support, and rights as the whites, indicating the need for reminding the society

regarding the initial dream that was supposed to unite the Americans as a people (Zheng 129).

Surname 2

Fortunately, he acknowledges that his dream is deeply entrenched in the American Dream.

Indeed, the author speaks of the forthcoming days using future tense, highlighting that it is in

indeed a dream or a wish (Josiah and Oghenerho 45). Overall, the title acts as an effective

blanket that reflects the content of the entire speech.

The Cohesive Structure

In this piece of writing, King commences with an introduction, followed by an argumentation of

his ideas, and then a concluding phase. In the commencement of this poem, King writes, “I am

happy to join you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration of freedom

in the history of our nation” (Line 1). In this sentence, he greets and acknowledges the audience

and then communicates the theme or role of the narration. In particular, he points out that he

joins the audience in the cry for freedom, fostering a sense of unity. Consequently, regardless of

his higher spatial position, the persona wishes to create an impression that he is at the same level

with the audience (Josiah and Oghenerho 47). The body of the poem starts from the second line,

when King gives a brief account of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation to free the

African-Americans from the flames of injustice. This information provides a strong background

that enables the speaker to challenge the turn of events which includes the existence of the

discrimination of the blacks a hundred years after the ratification of the Emancipation

Proclamation.

Throughout the body, the speaker talks about the plight of black Americans, their denial

of justice, and the failure of the American society to deliver the promises of the Declaration of

Independence. Accordingly, he explores his antithesis which includes events and actions that

compromise the justice, equality, and freedom of the African-American society (Zheng 131).

Precisely, he articulates out what is against his dreams. After all these claims that form a

Surname 3

substantial bulk of the paper, King starts tackling dream (Lines 73-91), the promise of a better

tomorrow for the American society, people, and children. Subsequently, he picks up his role as a

preacher and concludes his speech as a sermon by incorporating excerpts from Free at Last and

My Country ‘tis of Thee.

Persuasive Language

The speaker tries to influence his audience to understand the injustices and the plight of the

African-Americans from his point of view and pave the way for the protection of their rights. To

begin with, he uses the terms “we” and “our” in the course of the speech to communicate that the

injustice faced by the African-American is a problem affecting the entire American society

(Zheng 132). He goes further to elaborate on these discriminations to enable the audience

understand why it is an issue of concern. This includes the segregation of the African-Americans

and the fact that they live in poverty while the rest of the society is swimming in riches.

Additionally, the blacks’ living in exile on their own land is something to worry about.

Consequently, such information creates a bizarre situation that needs immediate action for the

sake of humanity (Josiah and Oghenerho 44). Other than this, when he addresses the seekers of

justice, he encourages them not to be resentful over their wrongful actions and avoid being

directed by hatred and bitterness. Contrarily, they should initiate a dignified and disciplined

struggle by thwarting physical violence (Line 28-30). Accordingly, as much as King desires a

society in which all people live freely without being labeled and victimized, he longs for a

peaceful journey toward the achievement of this.

The success of the speech also lies in the ability of the speaker to relate to the experiences

and suffering of the people. He recognizes that some people have come out of significant

tribulations and trials while others from jails (Line 67). Correspondingly, some have faced police

Surname 4

brutality and persecution in their quest for freedom. He advices and encourages them to keep up

with the spirit with the belief that suffering is redemptive. This is captivating and enables those

who have not gone through the same to learn of the snares facing the society. Besides, he

provides examples of Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana to confirm to the

audience that the situation in the country can change (Line 83). Hence, they should not wallow in

hopelessness but work hard for the furtherance of the American society for all.

Use of Imagery

King has used elements of imagery but has contained them to the American context so as to

remain pertinent to the audience. Fundamentally, he integrates this to depict the suffering and

hardships of the African-Americans and the promise of a restored tomorrow (Zheng 129).

Specifically, he employs vivid nature imagery to enable the audience to relate to and

comprehend his ideas in a simple but efficient manner. King’s imagery falls into two categories,

time and landscape. To begin with, he urges the African-Americans to pick up themselves from

the “dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice” (Line 75). He

proceeds by indicating that “now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of injustice to

the solid rock of brotherhood” (Line 82). In both cases, he uses imagery to persuade his audience

not to settle for racial injustices but strive to establish a society that is free from segregation.

Valleys are a representation of a low point or situation which is hard to come out of while the

sun depicts a promising future and enlightenment (Zheng 128). Correspondingly, the quicksand

is a symbol of trap that makes it hard for people to rise while the “solid rock of brotherhood” is a

stable goal which the people should endeavor to meet

Although King writes of the struggles of the black race and the wish for a brighter future,

he also acknowledges the despair associated with the walk into desired days. This speaker writes

Surname 5

“We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty

stream” (Line 78). In this case, water embodies a cleansing and rejuvenating image, which is

consistent with a civil rights revolution (Josiah and Oghenerho 48). In Line 23, he writes, “This

sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an

invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.” In this, he has likened the suffering of the black

Americans to summer and their liberation to autumn. In specific, he compares the unfriendly and

remorseless summer sun to the oppression of the African-Americans and contrasts it with the

merciful and desired relief associated with autumn. Generally, his symbols are universal in

nature and not specific to the African-Americans alone (Zheng 129). The use of natural imagery

makes the speech one of the most successful of all time.

Relevance to the Audience

King speaks to the American audience and uses whatever is relevant to foster them to challenge

the persistence of injustice. He points out the importance of the Declaration of Independence and

the Constitution in the indemnification of people’s unalienable rights of liberty, life, and pursuit

of happiness (Line 10). Furthermore, King remembers the role of slavery in the making of the

United States by articulating his wish for the sons of former slave owners and slave sitting

together to share a table of brotherhood. Additionally, he identifies with the state in Mississippi

due to its oppression and injustice and desires its transformation to an “oasis of justice and

freedom” (Line 87). Aside from this, he also integrates the component of family, which carries

heftiness in the American life by dreaming for his four little children to live in a society where

they are not judged on the basis of their skin color but the wealth of their character.

Surname 6

Conclusion

Martin Luther King is successful in communicating his dissatisfaction with the American society

and the hope of a better future due to his persuasive writing, integration of imagery and

experiences that relate to the American people, and ability to connect with the audience. In his

speech, he starts with a discussion of the current situation and then moves forth to explore wishes

for tomorrow through his dream. Particularly, this is an emotional piece that allows the reader to

connect with the suffering of the African-Americans and a wish for the advancement of the

society to allow for their freedom and oust injustices affecting them. The articulation and solid

construction of ideas makes the speech relevant in modern day revolutions.

Surname 7

Works Cited

Josiah, Ubong and Gift Oghenerho. "Pragmatic Analyses of Martin Luther King (Jr)’s Speech: “I

Have A Dream"- An Introspective Prognosis." Journal of Education and Practice, vol. 6,

no. 17, 2015, pp. 43-53.

King, Martin. I Have A Dream. Random House Children's Books, 2012.

Zheng, Shaohui. "A Stylistic Analysis on “I Have A Dream”." Journal of Studies in Social

Sciences, vol.9, n.1 2014, pp.123-134.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."