There are many reasons why this was such a powerful speech. Martin Luther King used simple language, which conveyed a meaningful message without patronising the audience. Popular references were also used, such as Adam and Eve, and stating we are all equal. He used humour as well, which was straightforward and understood by all. The speech was in a simple format because many black men and women had not been educated as well as white men and women, if at all. Martin Luther King used simple metaphors to ensure that his message was received and understood.
The imagery he used emphasised the true meaning of life, equal rights and freedom. Martin Luther King states,
“America has given the Negro people a bad cheque which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient finds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this cheque – a cheque that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”
These sentences were a clever piece of imagery, as it’s a direct comparison. The idea of a promise to the Negroes being a cheque waiting to be cashed shows a great sense of creativity has been used to think up these very powerful, inspiring words.
Biblical references were used frequently throughout, as it hit home to those who lived and relied on the bible to help them through their lives. Metaphors were used throughout the speech. Although similes were not used, direct comparisons were, again due to the fact 200,000 black poorly educated people stood before him.
Martin Luther King used various techniques. A Pattern of three was one of the techniques he was fond of using throughout the speech. Repetition such as “I have a dream” was very clever, especially as he speaks with great enthusiasm. Benjamin Zephania stated, “He could read the phone book, and still manage to make people weep”.
The delivery of Martin Luther King’s speech therefore was given with great passion and power. Martin Luther King spoke with great will power to get the message across, which worked. The speech spoke for itself, but we cannot imagine the speech without Martin Luther King delivering it. No one else could give the same speech with the same amount of power and enthusiasm. It made the 28% Negro population of that time feel equal to every other person. The speeches influence towards the black community will be passed down in generations to come. Martin Luther King will always be known as the man who revolutionised the black comities way of life.
