Martin Luther King

I Have A Dream 1963

ARGUMENT (1)

We come together to demonstrate for freedom

Once we were emancipated from slavery

Emancipation had given us great hope

But hope has not been realized

We are still not free, we still suffer

We come to Washington to protest this injustice

Our nation’s sacred texts underwrite our cause

Yet now our nation has wronged us

ARGUMENT (2)

We do not give up It is high time for change The need for change is urgent We mean business America will have no rest until justice is done We must achieve justice peacefully We join with many white brothers/sisters Black and White must walk together There is no resolution until full justice is done Go home in faith there will be equality, an end to

discrimination. With faith we will achieve

ARGUMENT (3)

Basic Logic

(We all agree this is a nation of high principles and the rule of law; that laws should reflect principles)

We belong to this nation, have full entitlement to its promised benefits and protections

Yet we suffer (from laws that fall long short of this nation’s principles)

(Our suffering, dignity and peace confirm our deserving)

Therefore, it is just and necessary that our wrongs be put right by the application of principle to law.

SOURCE

Has shown himself worthy of respect in the eyes of both black and white

Commands the attention of a crowd of over 200,000 people

Has particularly strong bonds with the black people and their suffering

Is black, has suffered with his people Is a righteous man of God, Church, principle His is not self-interest, but interest in the

welfare of all the people, black and white

STYLE AND AFFECT (1)

SENSE OF DRAMA : e.g. this day is the greatest demonstration for freedom in nation’s history –heightens emotion, expectancy

VOCABULARY OF DRAMA: freedom; nation; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness;

BIBLICAL and RELIGIOUS language and references suggest a sense of the (religious) SACRED

REFERENCES to DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, CONSTITUTION, ACT OF EMANCIPATION invoke nation’s (secular) SACRED (NARRATIVES) TEXTS

STYLE AND AFFECT (2)

EXCLUSIVE INTERTEXTUALITY: e.g. “Free at last” words of old negro spiritual establish links to shared history, culture and traditions; “sermonizing” style

INCLUSIVE INTERTEXTUALITY, references to texts shared by both black and white, the American Dream, the uniquely different but treasured states of the nation, to members of different religions

REPETITIVE STRUCTURES serve to drive argument, heighten emotion: e.g. “one hundred years later,” “now is the time,” “we can never be satisfied,” “go back,” “let freedom ring.”

STYLE AND AFFECT (3)

CONTRASTS : “joyous day break..long night of captivity,” “quick sands..solid rock,” “sweltering summer..invigorating Autumn,” “ desolate valley..sunlit path." physical force..soul force”

METAPHOR : “tranquilizing drug of gradualism,” “cash a check…promissory note…defaulted…bank of justice.”

REFERENCE TO JOURNEYS, real and metaphorical REFERENCE TO POWER, both negative and positive INVOCATIONS OF PAST, SHARED SUFFERING PROMISE OF REDEMPTION through suffering, dignity and

faith, a redemption that is also inter-racial and inter-generational (4 children)