MLK Worksheet

II. Rhetorical Structure: Figure of Speech

1. Alliteration-the commencement of two or more stressed syllables of a word group either with the same consonant sound or sound group

Metaphor-a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance

Simile-a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared

2. When King says "Five score years ago", he allusioned or to make reference to Abraham Lincoln who started off his speech in the same manner. I think he tried to resignate Lincoln's spirit in his speech and have the same attitude that he (Lincoln) had as he gave the Gettysburg Address. It also seems as though his speech might have something in common with Lincoln's speech.

3. An example of an allusion to the Declaration of Independence- "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"

An example of allusion to the Bible- "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together"

4. example of alliteration- "Now is the time"

5. example of metaphor- "beacon light of hope"

6. example of simile- "justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream"

7. The statement that King makes in the second paragraph is a metaphor which makes reference to slavery and segregation. Slavery is a effective method of moving his audience because many can relate to the struggle since it last in the many people lives for centuries. It brings up buried emotions and help build a closer relationship with MLK. Everyone knows that deep down in their hearts slavery has been transformed and has took on a different look. They might not of been in physical slavery however they were in mental and social slavery.

8. Two examples of anaphora- "Now is the time" and "we must"

9. One effect of the repetition of "I have a dream" is that it shows MLK is demanding the world's attention and respect. He wants them to remember that he is too a person and that his dream should be able to fulfilled like anyone else who comes and lives in America. Another effect that it had on the speech was that it seem to paint a bigger picture in which you can imagine other Blacks shouting the same thing and proclaim their freedom.

10.


III.Understanding the Dream

1. In the "I Have a Dream" speech, MLK asks for the people as well as the government to reform their image that the publicly display. He also asks that the people as well as the government to follow the Declaration of Independence instead of acting like it treating Black people unfairly. He uses biblical verses as well as quotes from the Declaration in trying to appeal to them as Christians or Believers and those who are patriotic. He believes that day, the whites in America who oppressed them will wake and see the injustice they have cause and that both races, Black and White will reform America's image.

2. In the speech, MLK probably was thinking about how the law does not serve both Black and Whites equally and that Blacks were beaten and thrown in jail for their nonviolence protest.

3.The American Dream is from MLK's viewpoint is the dream of living as a person, by being treated fairly, equal opportunity for all and the end of racial hatred for other races.

4. I think at the end of the speech the purpose for naming different ideas is to see what he believes America can achieve if only they can but the past behind them and start putting his words into action.

5. If I was from that time period, I believe that I would have been moved to carrying out the work that needs to be done, however, i do feel that I wouldn't be supported by many because of it. I have always been the person to stand up for what I believe even if it does mean I staring into the faces who hates me. IF you let people run over you then they will continue to do so which have been proven by the conditions of the Blacks who lived in fear and were manipulated by the Whites in the town.

IV. Relating to the Dream

1. Racism to me is the hatred and belief that other races are inferior to another person's race.

2. Right-winged organizations like the Klan chose to act violently towards the civil rights organizations as way to put fear in them and more importantly, others who watch them as they campaigned against the haters.
It was good that they( the civil rights organization) because it showed that no matter what their opponents did they will still come out strong and that the other side only hit them out of fear. However the Black Panther Party did prove that the violent ways did keep whites from trying to abuse them and what they stood for.

3. I do not believe that skinheads are dangerous because of the things are ran during time period. Even though laws still remain unjust in some cases, they, the skinheads, seemed to live out of fear for what can happened to them because of their actions. However, I still am aware of my surroundings since the skinheads take on a different look and form in todays society and still hold some kind of control.

4. I believe MLK's dream has came a long way but has had negative effect towards it. It seems as though society has learned to maneuver around their promises since integration.

MLK's dream has came alive in more ways that could be imagine. There is no public display of segrgation and there is "equal opportunities" for anyone regardless of race. There has been more Blacks in leadership roles and even made the little became a huge success that has change the life of others. Everyone is expected to receive some type of respect instead of being look down by the others who past them.

However the dream that we believe was here can quickly vanished when we see what society still does to different races that live in America. There is still in some cases police brutality, killings of people who ride through certain neighborhoods etc. Sometimes opportunities can be missed out because of the color of your skin. We ask ourselves what can we possibly do to change this but it seems like it won't be a change until everyone changes. Until we alleviate the disease that has plagued our hearts when can never fully change society.