I Have a Dream - Martin Luther King’s Speech

The King’s Speech

Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is arguably one of the most recognizable speeches ever performed. Martin Luther King uses repetition throughout the speech while conveying the overpowering theme of equality. This “equality” that King is preaching for is the result of the segregation between the whites and the African American population. King’s powerful words, usage of symbolism, and motivating attitude toward the subject ended up working for the better, as equal rights movements were initiated.

The overall tone of Mr. King’s attitude toward the subject is “change,” as well as accentuating the troublesome black community. King says “…the Negro still is not free…sadly crippled by the manacle of segregation and the chains of discrimination” (King 857). Here, King is saying that the blacks are “crippled.” Being crippled means that you have a physical disorder that hinders your ability to move, so King is using the crippled symbol to represent the blacks struggle and uphill battle in a predominantly white society. King also makes an allusion to valleys, stating that they are low. “Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of justice” (King 857). Valleys are a low point in the earth, therefore, King is referencing that the black community is at an all time low with there treatment in America in addition to how poor the United States’ definition of equality is.

King speaks many symbols in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. These symbols add so much to his speech and make it a captivating read. His main symbols are the ones that he attaches to America. “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today…” (King 857). In this quote, King defines America as a “symbolic shadow.” Shadows are dark; therefore, King is defining this time as a dark or negative time. Shadows also block light from shining through, meaning that America is blocking out the citizens from fully understanding the racism that is occurring against the black community. Another example of a America being used as a symbol has to do with America