Question

In “I Have a Dream,” Martin Luther King, Jr. uses a rhetorical device called anaphora, which is the repetition of a word or phrase in order to add emphasis to a central or main idea. For example, in paragraph six, King repeats the phrase “now is the time” to emphasize the urgency with which the country should act to ensure true freedom for African Americans. Identify three other examples of anaphora in “I Have a Dream.” In an essay of 250 words or more, explain what each example emphasizes and how it contributes meaning and tone to the speech. How does the use of anaphora focus the reader or listener on the central themes of the speech? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Answer 1

Essay:

"I Have a Dream" is a famous speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The speech is widely considered to be one of the greatest in American history, and it features several examples of anaphora, which King uses to add emphasis to his central ideas and to focus the audience's attention on the key themes of the speech.

One example of anaphora in the speech is the repeated use of the phrase "let freedom ring" in the final paragraphs. King uses this phrase to emphasize the importance of freedom for African Americans and to call for the end of racial discrimination. The repetition of this phrase gives the speech a sense of urgency and helps to drive home the point that freedom is a fundamental right that should be available to all people, regardless of race.

Another example of anaphora in the speech is the repetition of the phrase "I have a dream" in the first and last paragraphs of the speech. King uses this phrase to introduce and conclude his speech, emphasizing the idea that all people, regardless of their race, should have the opportunity to live their dreams. This repetition helps to create a sense of unity among the audience and to emphasize that the dream of freedom is something that all people should be able to share.

A third example is the repeated phrase "with this faith", King uses this phrase to emphasis the power of faith and the optimism that the future can change for the better with the help of faith. It also serves to unify the audience and to inspire them to work towards the goal of racial equality.

The use of anaphora in "I Have a Dream" helps to focus the reader or listener on the central themes of the speech and to emphasize the urgency of the situation. The repeated use of key phrases drives home the points King is trying to make and adds emotional weight to the speech, making it more powerful and memorable. The repetition of these phrases also helps to build a sense of unity among the audience, emphasizing that the struggle for freedom and equality is one that affects all people.