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I Have Dream Rhetorical Analysis

Decent Essays

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s marked an important social event in American History. A decade after the abolishment of slavery of African Americans, African Americans have yet to receive equal social, political, and economic opportunities when compared to whites and minorities. Slavery was reinitialized slavery in other forms such as the Grandfather Clause, Jim Crow Laws, and share cropping. Instead of accepting racial injustice, civil rights activist Martin Luther King taught passive methods of achieving equality. Inspired by Gundi, MLK organized the “I AM A MAN” march, Selma march, and countless other demonstrations. Yet, King’s “I Have Dream” speech of 1963 galvanized his African American and white audience overlooking the Capitol. In “I Have Dream”, Dr. King employs …show more content…

Throughout the speech, King references biblical and historical figures, thereby cultivating an ethically sound and reliable argument for his audience. Ethos is defined as an appeal to a listener’s morals, utilizing important characteristics to sway their opinions. To relate his central argument to his Christian audience, He includes allusion, a rhetorical device use for indirect or direct inference of an idea, person or historical event. The Bible is briefly used to ground King’s ethical appeals, creating a sense of undeniable truth. Although King does not dwell on the bible, he uses it discreetly and unintentionally, representing his underlying moral justifications. As a pastor and college graduate from Atlanta, Georgia, King has a strong connection to the bible’s teachings. In the speech, he adds, “Justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” This scripture defines equality and justice directly from God himself, not from society. Since the bible remain a reputable source for America’s Christian society, the audience is more likely to trust the morals Dr. King

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