Martin Luther Kings speech

The most inspiring parts of Martin Luther King's speech, in my opinion, are lines 104-108 and lines 141-147. Lines 104-108 is the very well-known quote I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation. Where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I think this line is inspiring because it's a very reasonable dream that most of us have till this day. To not be judged by things out of our control such as skin color.

Lines 141-147 When we allow freedom to ring-when we let it ring from every city and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty, "We are free at last.

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" I believe that almost everyone wants world peace and this reminds me of a peaceful idea of when humanity leaves war behind and join hands to be at peace at last.

That black freedom is long overdue. He talks about the Emancipation Proclamation being signed 100 ago (first paragraph) and lists the injustices that black people have faced in America since (lines 69-82)

He first talks about the past and its promises, then speaks of the situation as it is now (the betrayal of black people and the conditions they have to endure), and ends with a vision of a dream that he has for the future.

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At the center of each of these sections, King places the concept of freedom.

(Lines 43-44, 94-100). King reminds the audience to remember that he wants nothing more than what was originally promised in the founding documents.

America has promised African Americans a fair share in the American Dream and access to all the civil liberties, as well as equality before the law. It turned out to be a "bad check," because the country has been segregated and full of violence against African Americans instead.

Now is the time It creates a sense of urgency for the change that King is advocating.

"I have a dream" (between 95-119) "Free at last" (146-147) Both bring to mind historical events from the past that have not been fulfilled for all equally: The Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation.

It outlines a vision of equality and brings the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to mind. It is also full of repetition and parallelism, which makes it highly memorable.

The writer makes a few biblical connections and even at the end of his article (lines 442-444) he states "Martin Luther King turns to his right and raises his right arm high, his elbow bent slightly, blessing the congregation at this great mass". I believe that he considers this as some type of mass and how someone can use the word of god to bring people together.

The text is organized around King's speech and it develops with the speech. The ideas are connected through the ideas in the speech, as well as elaborated on through Euchner's own reflections and witness testimonials.

Historians usually write in past-tense verbs. The use of the present tense here makes it feel like the reader is in the crowd listening to King; it creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy (lines: 66-67, 154, 209-210)

The people whom Euchner describes come from different walks of life and it's supposed to show that all kinds of different people were drawn to King.

When Euchner talks about King's allusions to the images of catastrophe in the Bible, he makes the tone of King's speech clearer. It becomes more of a threatening tone at that moment, while it seemed calmer before.

Although the two speeches were written 100 years apart, their message of hope, unity and peace in times of great struggle loudly echo down the halls of time. Dr. King's I have a Dream was delivered at the March on Washington on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963. On November 19, 1863 on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, roughly 100 years before King's speech, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.

The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the war between the states in favor of the north. The battle over states rights, mainly the right to keep slaves, had finally peaked in July of 1863.He dedicates the ground that the soldiers died on the great battle which they had just fought and stated that the solders would not be buried, but instead left were they fell in battle. He then says that the country shall have a new birth of freedom and that the United States shall not perish.

The march on Washington D.C. was a turning point in the passionate battle for civil rights. Years of segregation and mistreatment of the African-Americans had pushed them to the edge. King knew that he had to say something to calm his people and make sure that their demonstration did not turn into a violent one. He said a hundred years ago, or as King referred to it, five score ago, Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in a war to free the African-Americans from the tyranny of slavery. But despite the bloodshed they were still not free. King too touches on the fact that the fore fathers said that all men are created equal and entitled to liberty.

In conclusion Abraham Lincoln's and Martin Luther King's speeches are an important part of American history and how most people can find middle ground. How they both believed that all humans had right to liberty and equality. How they both emphasized a sense of unity when addressing their audiences. Even now these speeches can be related to present-day when although racism has been controlled in a way there are still moments where hate crimes against certain races are committed. Those are the times where we should be reminded of these speeches and truly find common ground.

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Updated: Dec 26, 2023
Essay's Scoring Result:
Expert's Assessment
The essay thoughtfully dissects Martin Luther King's speech, highlighting its impact, structure, and historical parallels. It effectively analyzes key excerpts, emphasizing the recurring theme of freedom. However, smoother transitions and clearer articulation of points could enhance its coherence. Skillful parallels between King's speech and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address underscore their shared commitment to liberty. The mention of present-day relevance adds a contemporary touch. Overall, a solid exploration of historical significance and a call for unity, but refinement in organization and expression would enhance its effectiveness.
How can you enhance this essay?
Consider enhancing coherence with smoother transitions between points. Clarify the articulation of ideas for better readability. While the analysis of King's speech is comprehensive, ensure that each point contributes directly to the main argument. Additionally, review grammar and sentence composition for improved precision. Emphasize the historical connections more explicitly, tying them seamlessly to the overall theme. This will strengthen the essay's structure and make the connections between past and present more evident to the reader.
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This essay's assessment was conducted by:
Dr. Alexander Smith
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Martin Luther Kings speech. (2019, Dec 14). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/english-week-4-example-essay

Martin Luther Kings speech essay
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