Song 'Imagine' and 'I Have a Dream' Speech: Summary and Comparison

“Dream.” This particular word from Martin Luther King’s iconic speech, where he calls for civil and economic rights and the possible future that has no racism, has been interpreted in several unique ways. As address other elements, in portraying the theme of peace and harmony. In this summary essay both The 'I Have a Dream' speech and one of John Lennon’s songs known as 'Imagine' are compared due to their similar concepts but in different means of the universal conflict along with embracing them within their contexts.

The Song 'Imagine' and 'I Have a Dream'Speech: Summary Essay

Martin Luther King’s oration closely effectively examines the elements in society which have fuelled injustices and struggles faced by black people (Negros) and provides alternative pathways that incorporate African Americans community’s universal desire for peace. He speaks from the authoritative position of a renowned civil rights activist who is speaking to an audience that is well aware of the injustices faced by the black, referring to the Gettysburg Address delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. He highlights the realisations that conflict has not been resolved and nothing has changed as enhancing emotional appeal (one hundred years later) which is also represented from the repetition of the word “imagine” from John Lennon’s song lyrics. It then expresses that this issue is not only for individual one but all of us as one through his use of inclusive pronoun as he states ‘crippled by ..segregation and the chains of discrimination’. The metaphor of chain alludes to a history of injustice as well as symbolically suggesting the primitive nature of racism and discrimination. This directly appeals to the audience's sense of pathos as the stark and hopeful, pensive tone that were used in both texts emphasises the attitudes of society to be a primary cause of inherent tensions. As such, he positions the audience to agree with his need for change to occur in order for equality to be accomplished. King continues to build on the free motif as he furthers his call for resolution as well as equality void of conflict through the anaphora “I have a dream today” to create a rhythmic effect and a sense of lyricism to his speech. The last but not least feature in which he calls for the possible peace is through his use of parallelism and antistrophe of ‘together’ as he undermines the quality of free speech. “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” The parallel phrasing carries out his message with engaging, memorable rhythm while the climactic build up on the actions and also allows him to use the oneness of people to undermine the ongoing conflict and further the possibility of peace.

Similarly, John Lennon also acknowledges the universal despair of people for a possibly lasting peace throughout cooperating with each other. “ You may say I’m a dreamer/ But I’m not the only one/ I hope someday you’ll join us/ and the world will be as one.” Lennon uses pathos by having listeners imagine an ideal world with happiness and peace for all. The metaphors are used; “Imagine there’s no countries” which alludes to no border between the countries and thus providing the idea of unity and living in peace and harmony. “A brotherhood of man” This quote allows people to treat people like family and with less animosity. The statement that is about resolving the conflict in a peaceful means are also well-demonstrated through the use of hyperbole “Sharing all the world” because you can’t really share the entire world but it means to spread the knowledge and culture from the globe.

Another similarity that both texts have in common is that their audiences are citizens of the world and the purpose of this song and speech is to bring awareness to the issues that were happening at the time of the release. The 'Imagin' song came out in 1971 in a time where there was a war, hatred and bigotry spreading like wildfire. This encouraged many people to go fix something since not much has really changed with intercontinental and domestic relations as in raising voice for equal rights and an end of racism from MLK’s speech to suggest the ways to be peaceful.