Question

Analyze In paragraphs 7, 14, and 19, King uses metaphors, or imaginative comparisons, that liken injustice to extreme weather. List specific details that build these metaphors

From I have a dream speech

Answer 1

Paragraph 7:

King states, "But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination." Here, King employs the metaphor of being "crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination." The details of manacles and chains create a vivid imagery of the oppressive force of racial injustice, likening it to physical constraints that hinder the freedom and progress of African Americans.

Paragraph 14:

King passionately declares, "We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality." The metaphorical use of "unspeakable horrors" paints a powerful picture, comparing the brutality faced by African Americans to a force so intense and inhumane that it defies description. This metaphor emphasizes the egregious nature of the injustice, equating it to a destructive and terrifying phenomenon.

Paragraph 19:

In this paragraph, King states, "I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice." The metaphorical description of Mississippi as "sweltering with the heat of injustice" and "sweltering with the heat of oppression" employs the imagery of extreme weather conditions. The choice of "sweltering" evokes a sense of unbearable, suffocating heat, portraying the intensity of the injustice faced by African Americans in that state.

In each of these instances, King's metaphors skillfully use concrete details to create vivid mental images that drive home the emotional impact of racial injustice, comparing it to forces as tangible and overwhelming as physical restraints, unspeakable horrors, and the suffocating heat of oppression.

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Answer 2

In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, he employs metaphors that liken injustice to extreme weather to vividly convey the harsh realities of racial discrimination. Let's examine specific details from paragraphs 7, 14, and 19 that build these metaphors:

1. Paragraph 7: In this section, King uses the metaphor of a "whirlwinds of revolt" to describe the potential consequences of continued injustice. He says, "But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred." Here, the whirlwinds of revolt suggest a gathering storm of anger and resentment that could erupt if justice is not served. It paints a picture of a powerful force of change that can be unleashed.

2. Paragraph 14: King employs the metaphor of "the heat of injustice" to describe the urgency and intensity of the civil rights struggle. He states, "We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, 'When will you be satisfied?' We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality." Here, the "heat of injustice" signifies the oppressive and relentless nature of racial discrimination, which relentlessly bears down on African Americans like scorching heat.

3. Paragraph 19: In this section, King uses the metaphor of "the tranquilizing drug of gradualism" to criticize the slow pace of change in addressing racial inequality. He says, "We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism." Here, the metaphor likens gradualism to a tranquilizing drug, suggesting that it numbs the sense of urgency and lulls people into complacency. It portrays the slow progress as a kind of sedative that prevents the necessary action against injustice.

These metaphors of extreme weather conditions and oppressive elements serve to make the injustices faced by African Americans more relatable and emotionally charged. They create vivid images in the minds of the audience, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the civil rights struggle while calling for immediate action and change.