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Rhetorical Analysis of “I Have a Dream”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave the most powerful historical speeches titled “I Have a Dream” on the Lincoln Memorial steps in Washington, D.C on 28th August1963,. It was one of the most massive demonstrations with over 200 000 people that shaped African American history. Dr. King spoke about the widespread discrimination and segregation of blacks that was happening in the nation in his rhetorical masterpiece (Higham). The freedom of the USA has its roots back to this speech, where King used the rhetorical triangle masterfully to change his audience’s hearts and minds and to show them a new direction. He utilized the triangle that consists of the three Aristotle’s concepts, inclusive of ethos, pathos, and logos. This article is a rhetorical analysis of Dr. King’s speech that warmed and wooed his audience.
Ethos shows the knowledge and credibility of the author. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used ethos in his heartwarming speech to convince the crowd that he was a reliable source of information. He used this concept to support his argument, thereby steering both African Americans and America as a whole towards a significant change. The first use of ethos was the confidence and firmness displayed in Dr. King’s voice, which appealed to the people as being reliable. He referred to the historical moments of the USA and leaders who pioneered the freedom in the American nation. He analogized President Abraham Lincoln as a credible source and shows he respects the President when he quotes his declaration (King). Dr. Martin Luther states, “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.” Dr. King adds ethical appeal in the speech when he refers to the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, where he showed his knowledge and disgust at the failure of the government in delivering their promises (Zebua). He states that he wants his four children to be evaluated based on personality and not color, therefore identifying with African Americans and showing his knowledge of the marginalized group.
Regarding pathos, Dr. King uses it to convince the audience to lean towards his argument by evoking their emotions. He uses pathos to make the audience sympathize with the Negroes suffering, detest discrimination, and be hopeful. Dr. King poured his heart and soul, and one can feel the myriad of emotions such as hope, anger, and frustration grow stronger in the speech. He appealed emotionally to the crowd when he mentioned that the continuous denial of Negroes’ rights was a debt, and it was growing bigger. The speech goes, “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds (King).” The speech quotes the Book of Isaiah, which says, “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah). He uses the Bible verse to stir the audience’s belief and faith in the trueness of his argument and the fact that they would be united.
He uses imagery and metaphors to paint mental pictures of the horrors of the injustices and discrimination of African Americans. Expressions such as “quicksands of racial injustice,” seared in the flames of withering injustice,” and “sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent” connect and relate well with the blacks present directly (Vail, pp. 51-78). He uses the American dream to connect emotionally to all Americans, both whites and blacks. He did this to inspire and grow the relationship of both races and to unite them. He also uses his image as a parent allowing the crowd to connect to their parental hopes for their children- “I have a dream that my four little children…” (King)
King employs pathos to persuade his audience to agree with him by using evidence, logic, and reasoning. He uses the analogy of money when he says, “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds (King).” His logic here is that money is relatable and vital since it is used by the audience daily. He reasons that the crowd understood what it meant to be handed bad checks. Dr. King also refers to when President Lincoln signed the decree that gave hope to the slaves.
His speech says, “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation (King).” The statement is logos as it refers to a fact, an event that indeed happened. He speaks logically when he refers to the segregation, discrimination, and injustices that were happening to the blacks in his time. King also refers to the fact that the audience had once being told that freedom would come after slavery ended, but it had been 100 years, but still, grave injustice continued. Dr. King quotes the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence as evidence of the government’s failed promises to his people.
Dr. Martin Luther King’s remarkable speech remains a turning point in America’s history. King championed against discrimination and segregation and called for both whites and blacks to unite. He confronted racism and injustice and convinced all of America to stand against these issues and acquire change. His speech remains memorable and fresh in American’s minds because of his skillful and articulate use of rhetorical concepts of ethos, pathos, and logos. He appealed to his audience emotionally, logically, and with his knowledge, thus evoking change towards a free America.
Works Cited
Higham, John, ed. Civil rights and social wrongs: Black-White relations since World War II. Penn State Press, 2010.
Isaiah, 40:3. Bible. King James Version, 1611.
King, Dr. Martin Luther. “I have a Dream.” Washington, D.C., 1963.
Vail, Mark. “The” Integrative” Rhetoric of Martin Luther King Jr.’s” I Have a Dream” Speech.” Rhetoric & Public Affairs 9.1 (2006): 51-78.
Zebua, Satria Andriani. “An Appraisal Analysis on Text of “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King.” (2018).