I Have a Dream: A Rhetorical Analysis
- Melchior Antoine
- Apr 9
- 7 min read
Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” is one of the most famous speeches in US political history. We know the historical significance of the speech. The speech was delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.
King used the speech as an opportunity to call for civil and economic rights for African Americans and other minorities and for an end to racism in the United States.
The speech has a number of rhetorical devices. The most famous is anaphora, that is repetition in the beginning. We’re talking about “I have a dream that one day …” being repeated throughout the speech.
However, the speech remains famous and memorable because it relies on a much wider repertoire of rhetorical devices. In this article, I discuss why the speech had such a major impact and the rhetorical approaches employed by Dr. Martin Luther King.
The Importance of the “I Have a Dream Speech”
The “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered at a crucial moment in American history — the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This march was part of a wider movement geared toward addressing the discrimination against African Americans.
The march could be described as a massive success. It drew a massive attendance of over 250,000 people to Washington. It represented a powerful demonstration that people were ready for change.
This was a specific period when the Civil Rights Movement was at a crossroads. It had seen major victories. For example, schools had become desegregated after the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. However, African Americans continued to suffer from systemic racism and inequality. King’s speech provided the movement with the inspiration and vigor that it required in the face of what seemed like a stall in progress.
The speech was a rhetorical force that gave activists fresh hope and that gained massive amounts of media attention and public awareness.
A rhetorical analysis of “I Have a Dream”
Why does the “I Have a Dream” speech continue to have such a massive impact after so long. The speech has become part of modern American pop culture. It would not be an exaggeration to describe it as one of the most famous speeches in US history.
Let’s take a look into why it works. To analyze a speech like MLK’s we look at two aspects— 1. The rhetorical approach or concept used and 2. The rhetorical devices used.
1. Rhetorical approach
Rhetorical approaches refers to the approach used to appeal to readers or listeners in a speech. It can be either 1. Logos, 2. Pathos, and 3. Ethos.
Logos is an approach that relies on appeals to logic. This means logical arguments to convince your audience. It can involve citing statistics and data to support the points being made.
Pathos relies on emotional appeals to listeners. A good example of a speech that relies on pathos is Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In that speech, Lincoln links the sacrifice of Union soldiers with the founding ideals of the US and encourages his listeners to follow the example of these soldiers in upholding these values.
Ethos relies on authority. The speaker appeals to listeners by using their status and reputation.
In advertisements, an example of ethos would be a dentist recommending a brand of toothpaste or toothbrush. A supermodel recommending a brand of cosmetics is also another good example.
Ethos: MLK’s Rhetorical Approach
In the case of MLK’s speech the rhetorical approach used is Ethos. MLK is appealing to values of equality and freedom that all Americans hold dear throughout the speech. This can be seen in the following quote:
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men — yes, Black men as well as white men — would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.
Here, Martin Luther King, just like Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address, is making reference to the values of “our republic.” These values include “the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
He mixes this with a metaphor by comparing the signing of the constitution by the founding fathers of the United States to the signing of a promissory note.
2. Rhetorical devices
Rhetorical devices are figures of speech that are used to enhance the effect of a speech or writing on the intended audience. MLK uses a range of devices in his speech.
The most famous rhetorical device used in that speech is called anaphora. Anaphora can be described as repetition in the beginning. In addition to anaphora, MLK also uses metaphor, symbolism, and biblical allusions.
The overall effect is to create a speech that is grand, ambitious, prophetic, and inspiring. Let’s look at specific extracts from the speech to see how this effect is achieved.
The Use of Anaphora
Anaphora refers to repetition at the beginning. It’s the figure of speech that “I have a Dream” is most famous for. Let’s look at an example:
“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.”
The frequent repetition of the phrase “now is the time” imparts a certain sense of urgency to the situation that MLK is commenting on. It also gives the speech a certain sense of rhythm. In short, the speech would have a somewhat sensational effect on the people listening to it at the time.
You should also notice that each sentence builds upon each other for a cumulative effect. The passage begins with references to “the promises of democracy.” Then it switches to vivid and figurative descriptions such as “the desolate valley of segregation” and “quicksands of racial injustice” in the following two sentences. It finally makes reference to God, which can be seen as a climactic ending. This means that anaphora does not have to be dull even though it involves repetition.
Although not used frequently, MLK also uses epistrophe. This refers to repetition in the beginning. The most famous example of epistrophe is from the vice presidential debate between Dan Quayle and Lloyd Bentsen, where Lloyd Bentsen said the following:
Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.
In the I Have a Dream Speech, we see an example of epistrophe here:
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 word “together” is repeated throughout the passage. The effect of this repetition is to emphasize the importance of unity and persistence in the struggle of resisting oppression. It also develops a rhythm that sounds pleasant to listen to.
Metaphor and descriptive language
Metaphor and descriptive language is used throughout the speech. In the previous passage, we see MLK say “Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.” He also says: “This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.”
Another example is:
Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality.
He seems to connect the issue of justice and discrimination with the forces of nature. The suggestion is that justice for Black people and the oppressed is a crime against nature itself.
Biblical allusions and symbolism
Dr. Martin Luther King was a pastor, and he was fond of using religious language to describe his struggles for equality and justice. We use the term Biblical allusions to describe when someone makes a brief reference to something from the Bible without fully explaining it. It is not fully explained because it is assumed the listener already knows what is being referenced.
MLK mixes biblical allusions a lot with symbolism. Sometimes, he uses biblical references almost verbatim. Here is one example: “No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
The highlighted part of the excerpt is from Amos 5:24. The exact quote is “But let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” Another important passage is the following:
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is a Biblical quote adapted from Isaiah 40:4. It is a description of the second coming. However, it is being used symbolically here. Here is the direct quote from the bible: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.”
Does this mean that Dr. King was predicting the Second Coming? Not really. The second coming is being used symbolically here. Dr. King meant for it to represent God’s righteous judgment against those who oppose equality.
This is rather pertinent as MLK was appealing to a country where the majority of the opposition would have been Christian conservatives. Biblical references would have been an effective appeal to their conscience and in line with his non-violent messaging.
Cite this EminentEdit article |
Antoine, M. (2025, April 09). I Have a Dream: A Rhetorical Analysis. EminentEdit. https://www.eminentediting.com/post/i-have-a-dream-rhetorical-analysis |