Rhetorical Analysis of 'I Have a Dream' Speech by Martin Luther King

The 'I Have a Dream' speech is one of the most famous speeches in American history. It was also one of the 'greatest demonstrations of freedom in the history of our nation', according to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and it changed the world and impacted it in ways that forever shaped America. This rhetorical analysis essay about 'I Have a Dream' speech briefly explored his powerful speaking abilities and the manner in which he delivered his message touched the hearts of all Americans. Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech is influential, employs numerous analogies to captivate his points, and employs confidence in his speech to convey his message.

Short Rhetorical Analysis of 'I Have a Dream' Speech 

He uses the point of the emancipation proclamation that says, 'All men are created equal'. To him, separate but equal is not equal. He notes that American's are supposed to be given 'Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness'. He goes on to say that giving black people insufficient funds and letting them basically have the crappier end of things, isn't constitutional. He's trying to get the point across that separate but equal is unconstitutional. The whole introduction he basically talks about everything wrong with the way African Americans are treated according to the constitution.

In the speech, he has a basic beginning, middle, and end. First, he'll be introduced. He began the introduction by discussing our inalienable rights and how it essentially violates separate but equal. In that, he gives examples of how it works, and so on. Then, in the middle, it discusses how this cannot continue and what must be done to put an end to racism and inequality. It appears to be riddled with sorrow. Then it makes a complete 180-degree turn at the end. He ends on a more upbeat note, launching into the famous 'I have a dream' quotes. He discusses his faith in our country and how he sees a brighter future. He even closes it with the inspirational song Let Freedom Ring.

He uses a smooth transition from discussing the Amendments and how they violate black rights. When discussing all of the racism that is occurring with the separate but equal, he concludes in the last paragraph by saying, 'We should not distrust the white man; many are present here today because they realize the problem, etc'. He completely ends it by saying, 'We cannot walk alone; we cannot turn back'. This leads into the short middle section where he talks about how they will never be satisfied until freedom and equal rights are granted to them, and talks about all of the racism that is occurring. It concludes, 'Let us not wallow in a valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends', and then begins his final conclusion about his hopes and dreams for our country, 'And so, even though we face difficulties today and tomorrow, I still have a dream'.

The speech's conclusion was very uplifting, empowering, inspirational, and powerful. It was unheard of for black people to stand up and be leaders back then. When he stood on that podium and spoke about having a dream, America was taken aback. It was the perfect conclusion to a speech that began with facts about our rights and ended with despondency for African Americans and what they are going through. It concluded on a positive and upbeat note. He expressed his hopes and dreams for America to become a better place, even going so far as to involve his own children in the discussion. He envisioned a country in which 'my four little children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character'. Throughout the speech, he provides numerous examples of his vision for a better America. He concludes by quoting Let Freedom Ring and remaining on the topic of freedom for all, including blacks. He doesn't use a clincher based on facts; instead, he relies on powerful speaking and inspiration to make his point.

Final Thoughts

To end up this rhetorical analysis essay, the speech of Martin Luther King 'I Have a Dream' has the main theme - it is equality. The entire point of his speech is that he wants blacks and all people to have equality, and not just separate but equal equality. That is the overarching theme that runs throughout the speech. The second theme is liberty. The word 'freedom' appears frequently throughout the speech, and the entire last section of the conclusion is a quote from Let Freedom Ring; he even ends the speech with the words 'Free at Last!' Finally, I am free!