ELECTIVE TWO: EXPLORING TRANSITIONS
Related text
Martin Luther King's 'I have a Dream' Speech
Synopsis:
On the 28th of August, 1963, Martin Luther King gave his infamous 'I have a dream' speech in his fight for freedom from racial segregation and discrimination. King passionately began his speech with the emancipation of the slaves, issued by Abraham Lincoln, and later mentions that after being freed from slavery, African Americans are still not free citizens. In the course of his speech King claims that all men were issued a 'check' and the promise of freedom, yet for African American men and women that check has come back with 'insufficient funds'. King reasons that they, the African Americans and fellow advocates of the civil rights movement, have come to their nations capital to 'cash a check' which includes the "riches of freedom and the security of justice".
Repeatedly throughout his speech, King demanded the freedom of African American citizens and insisted that society change its prejudicial and discriminatory ways with a sense of urgency and without procrastination from the oppressor. King insisted that he did not want to wait any longer for change, but rather see change occur immediately as it "would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment". Most significant though, was King's desire to obtain equality through non-violent means, a desire he passionately reinforces as he states "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force".
Publishing details/reference:
King, Martin Luther, Jr. "I Have a Dream." Speech, Washington, DC, August 28, 1963.
indentAmerican Rhetoric. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ mlkihaveadream.htm.
How will Martin Luther King's 'I have a Dream' speech enrich the study of 'The Story of Tom Brennan' in the context of exploring transitions?
Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a Dream’ speech explores one man’s efforts at transforming the lives of African American’s, from a life of discrimination and segregation to one of equality and justice. Using a non-fiction text as a related text not only exposes students to different text types and their language forms and features, but also gives diversity to the essay they write in the HSC examination. King’s provocative speech, which engages with emotion, is an overt example of how a transition from segregation to freedom can be challenging, confronting and exciting experience. King confirms that to this day Negroes are still treated poorly as he alludes to slavery and metaphorically states “one hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination”. King engages with repetition to reinforce the urgency of his appeal for change, repeatedly stating that “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children”. It becomes clear throughout the course of King’s speech that the change he desires, is one, which creates a new social context in America, one that is both peace making and exciting for the African American Population. King reinforces this notion as he predicts that justice will enable all Americans to “sit down together at the table of brotherhood”. The homely metaphor “Table of brotherhood” offers his audience reconciliation and triggers feelings of comfort and reinforces the notion of peace.
Like King’s speech, ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ explores transitions, which are, in effect, quests for peace. ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ weaves the past into the present, and, as Tom continues to struggle to come to terms with the realities of the car accident, he begins to realise what he misses most- himself. Although Tom’s guilt and loss is never far away, his journey through the present and the revelations he makes, ultimately set him on a path toward acceptance and peace.
Like ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ Martin Luther King’s speech is littered with stylistic devices, which add flair, originality and zest to his literary masterpiece. Through the study of MLK’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, students will be able to given ample opportunity to learn about the relationships among texts but comparing and contrasting the forms and features of King’s speech with those of Burke’s novel. Additionally, students will be able to describe the connections which exists between the texts, such as the quest for peace, for both groups (African Americans) and individuals (Tom).
To view the transcript of Martin Luther King's speech, please download the following PDF file.
On the 28th of August, 1963, Martin Luther King gave his infamous 'I have a dream' speech in his fight for freedom from racial segregation and discrimination. King passionately began his speech with the emancipation of the slaves, issued by Abraham Lincoln, and later mentions that after being freed from slavery, African Americans are still not free citizens. In the course of his speech King claims that all men were issued a 'check' and the promise of freedom, yet for African American men and women that check has come back with 'insufficient funds'. King reasons that they, the African Americans and fellow advocates of the civil rights movement, have come to their nations capital to 'cash a check' which includes the "riches of freedom and the security of justice".
Repeatedly throughout his speech, King demanded the freedom of African American citizens and insisted that society change its prejudicial and discriminatory ways with a sense of urgency and without procrastination from the oppressor. King insisted that he did not want to wait any longer for change, but rather see change occur immediately as it "would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment". Most significant though, was King's desire to obtain equality through non-violent means, a desire he passionately reinforces as he states "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force".
Publishing details/reference:
King, Martin Luther, Jr. "I Have a Dream." Speech, Washington, DC, August 28, 1963.
indentAmerican Rhetoric. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ mlkihaveadream.htm.
How will Martin Luther King's 'I have a Dream' speech enrich the study of 'The Story of Tom Brennan' in the context of exploring transitions?
Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a Dream’ speech explores one man’s efforts at transforming the lives of African American’s, from a life of discrimination and segregation to one of equality and justice. Using a non-fiction text as a related text not only exposes students to different text types and their language forms and features, but also gives diversity to the essay they write in the HSC examination. King’s provocative speech, which engages with emotion, is an overt example of how a transition from segregation to freedom can be challenging, confronting and exciting experience. King confirms that to this day Negroes are still treated poorly as he alludes to slavery and metaphorically states “one hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination”. King engages with repetition to reinforce the urgency of his appeal for change, repeatedly stating that “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children”. It becomes clear throughout the course of King’s speech that the change he desires, is one, which creates a new social context in America, one that is both peace making and exciting for the African American Population. King reinforces this notion as he predicts that justice will enable all Americans to “sit down together at the table of brotherhood”. The homely metaphor “Table of brotherhood” offers his audience reconciliation and triggers feelings of comfort and reinforces the notion of peace.
Like King’s speech, ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ explores transitions, which are, in effect, quests for peace. ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ weaves the past into the present, and, as Tom continues to struggle to come to terms with the realities of the car accident, he begins to realise what he misses most- himself. Although Tom’s guilt and loss is never far away, his journey through the present and the revelations he makes, ultimately set him on a path toward acceptance and peace.
Like ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ Martin Luther King’s speech is littered with stylistic devices, which add flair, originality and zest to his literary masterpiece. Through the study of MLK’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, students will be able to given ample opportunity to learn about the relationships among texts but comparing and contrasting the forms and features of King’s speech with those of Burke’s novel. Additionally, students will be able to describe the connections which exists between the texts, such as the quest for peace, for both groups (African Americans) and individuals (Tom).
To view the transcript of Martin Luther King's speech, please download the following PDF file.
i_have_a_dream_by_mlk.pdf | |
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