MLK's
intended audience throughout his speech is aimed towards the oppressed black
American community, and towards the end of his speech the American people as a
whole. MLK addresses the oppressed black community of the 60s effectively using
inclusive phrases in an effort to sympathize with Black Americans. Some
significant inclusive phrases King uses are "Let us not wallow in the
valley of despair" and "We face the difficulties of today and
tomorrow", MLK is including himself when addressing the hardship both him
and his people have faced in America. In an effort for collective change to be
brought by the American people. Additionally he explicitly in his quotes
references the suffering of all black Americans throughout the history of
America, exemplifying the direction of his speech towards the black American
community. Towards the end of the speak MLK addresses the people of America
eluding to King's image of a colorless united America. As seen in the phrase "Little black boys and black girls will
be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as sisters
and brothers. I have a dream today." This phrase shows the transition of
audience from the oppressed black Americans of America, to the collective
people of America, mirroring to King's push for change in America. As such
relaying to the overall context of Black Americans fighting for an America with
no segregation.
MLK use of
style and structure throughout his speech makes an effective push towards the
reader's pathos on the oppression of
Black Americans. MLK uses metaphor through his speech to remind the reader of
the hardships black American faced prior to the civil rights movement. As seen
in the quotes "Negros slaves, who had been seared in the flames of
withering injustice." and "The chains of discrimination". The
metaphors used by King comment on the oppression of black Americans in order to tap into the pathos of the
listener. This emotion connection to the listener allows for them to sympathize
with the speaker's cause. In this context the cause being the oppression of
black Americans and the both for civil rights. Anaphora is used by King
throughout his speech to effectively emphasize his vision of a free and unified
America. The use of anaphora is seen in "I have a dream" begin stated
at the start of multiple phrases. The use of repeating the phrase "I have
a dream" is in order to emphasize King's points of his envisioned America.
As following his anaphoric phrase are quotes like "Little black boys and
black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white
girls as sisters and brothers." allowing the listener to participate and
almost envision King's dream of a colorless America.
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