Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his speech "I Have a Dream" (1963), spoke on the injustices facing African-Americans in America. King's purpose was to inspire and establish hope through allusions and metaphors. He expressed his dream in an alleviating tone for the marchers in Washington, as well as those struggling in the nation.
By utilizing allusions, King's thoughts were made clear and understandable. Right in the beginning, King stated, "Five score years ago..." The small phrase was in reference to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and to the president himself. By alluding to the past with this phrase, people might recall Lincoln's civil rights actions and apply it to how badly African-Americans are treated currently. King also provided the quote, "'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" from George Washington. Bringing up this quote and applying it to the political injustices that occur nation-wide …show more content…
King compared harsh treatment as "...a bad check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'" This comparison of the "Negro people" unlawfully treated wrong by the nation and the "Bank of Justice" portraying itself as bankrupt was elaborate in the way of getting others motivated to stand up against poor treatment. People were shorted out of help from even the government that exists to protect them. King also advised, "Let's us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred." Also in reference to the political injustices caused by the government and people in America with discriminative attitudes. King warns the audience to not sit back and accept the racism and hate, but to rise and stand for their morals; the warning provides inspiration to not take the easy way out and look out for one another. The metaphors affected concerned citizens by giving them something to think about and give their effort to
By utilizing allusions, King's thoughts were made clear and understandable. Right in the beginning, King stated, "Five score years ago..." The small phrase was in reference to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and to the president himself. By alluding to the past with this phrase, people might recall Lincoln's civil rights actions and apply it to how badly African-Americans are treated currently. King also provided the quote, "'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" from George Washington. Bringing up this quote and applying it to the political injustices that occur nation-wide …show more content…
King compared harsh treatment as "...a bad check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'" This comparison of the "Negro people" unlawfully treated wrong by the nation and the "Bank of Justice" portraying itself as bankrupt was elaborate in the way of getting others motivated to stand up against poor treatment. People were shorted out of help from even the government that exists to protect them. King also advised, "Let's us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred." Also in reference to the political injustices caused by the government and people in America with discriminative attitudes. King warns the audience to not sit back and accept the racism and hate, but to rise and stand for their morals; the warning provides inspiration to not take the easy way out and look out for one another. The metaphors affected concerned citizens by giving them something to think about and give their effort to