Martin Luther King, Jr. used the phrase “Five score years ago…” in his “I Have a Dream” speech. This is a reference to President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, which originally began with “Four score and seven years ago…” As you can see, King’s phrasing is a subtle reference, hence an allusion!
What allusions does MLK make in I Have a Dream?
King starts his speech by mentioning “Five score years ago”. This allusion refers to the Gettysburg Address, a speech by Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States who liberated the African-Americans from slavery.…
Why does Martin Luther King use allusions in his letter?
Martin Luther King, Jr. uses allusions to the Bible to show the hypocrisy of the white clergymen. In his “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” he writes, “Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid,” to justify his actions in Birmingham.
What literary techniques did Martin Luther King use?
King drew on a variety of rhetorical techniques to “Educate, Engage, & Excite” TM his audiences – e.g., alliteration, repetition, rhythm, allusion, and more – his ability to capture hearts and minds through the creative use of relevant, impactful, and emotionally moving metaphors was second to none.
What biblical allusions are in the I Have a Dream speech?
(7:45) “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” despair, a stone of hope.” “until justice flows down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
What was Martin Luther King alliteration?
Alliteration and Assonance
King uses alliteration in one of his most famous lines, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Why did Martin Luther King use alliteration?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one such example. His iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech includes many examples of alliterations throughout. His use of alliterations help the words flow together.
What is Martin Luther King’s writing style?
King’s style is forthright and even, with no room for passive language. He periodically employs parallelism or anaphora (a literary device with ancient Biblical roots) to draw attention to a particular statement through repetition. The effect is a voice that is full of conviction.
Which rhetorical devices did Dr King use in his speech?
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor, Repetition, and Parallelism appear throughout Dr. King’s speech.
What rhetorical device did Martin Luther King Jr use in his famous I Have a Dream speech?
I have a dream today! King uses anaphora to highlight the difference between how things are and how he hopes they will be. In fact, anaphora is a rhetorical device often favored by poets … and that’s why MLK Jr.’s speech lives among the greatest speeches. Martin Luther King Jr. had an exquisite way with words.
What is an example of a biblical allusion?
Bible Reference: Genesis 3:1-7—Tempted by the serpent, Eve took fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and ate it and then gave it to Adam. After they ate of the forbidden fruit, God cast them out of the Garden of Eden.
What type of allusion is biblical?
The biblical allusion uses words and/or situations that make direct references to biblical stories, characters, places, or motifs within a larger story/text. This is purposeful on the part of the writer.
What are some allusions to the Bible?
Biblical Allusions
- Antedeluvian: Antedeluvian is Latin for “before the flood,” referring to the flood Noah rode out in Genesis.
- Goliath: Goliath was a giant warrior—more than nine feet tall—who was slain by David in I Samuel.
What are 5 examples of alliteration?
More examples of alliterative sentences include:
- Claire, close your cluttered closet.
- The big bad bear bored the baby bunnies by the bushes.
- Shut the shutters before the shouting makes you shudder.
- Go and gather the green leaves on the grass.
- Please put away your paints and practice the piano.
Why does MLK use anaphora?
King uses the rhetorical device of anaphora to emphasize the urgency of the situation. He repeats, “Now is the time” followed by his strategy for helping America. This repetition makes his audience realize how important it is to Dr. King for people to act immediately.
What are the 3 types of alliteration?
4 Types of Alliteration in Literature
- General Alliteration. This is one of the simplest forms of alliteration and refers to the repetition of the initial sounds of the series of words.
- Consonance. This refers to the repeated consonant sound in the start, middle and, end of the sentence.
- Assonance.
- Unvoiced Alliterations.
What figurative language does Martin Luther King use in his speech?
In that speech, MLK Jr. used several different types of figurative language/rhetorical devices in order to convey his message to the people on a deeper level. These devices include personification, allusion, symbolism, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, and anaphora.
What is the theme of Martin Luther King?
In his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. describes the founding promises of America (freedom, equality, and justice for all) and the nation’s failure to keep those promises, particularly to Black Americans.
Did MLK use ethos pathos or logos?
Martin Luther King uses logos in his speech by citing statistics and historical events to support his argument. He talks about how African Americans have been discriminated against in housing, education, and employment.
How did Martin Luther King Jr use ethos?
Martin Luther King Jr., used ethos in his speech, “I Have a Dream” to build on trust and connections with the audience. He made the audience know he knew exactly what was going on currently with their struggles and racism issues.
Is an allusion a rhetorical device?
Allusion is a good way to reinforce the message or theme of a work. This rhetorical device allows the writer to offer an example or convey a message without going into a lengthy discourse.