This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.
WORD LISTSFigurative Language in King's "I have a dream" speechFebruary 26, 2013
On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I have a dream" speech. Speaking from the steps of the LIncoln Memorial in Washington D.C., King stood before an estimated quarter of a million people who had gathered to demonstrate for passage of the Civil Rights Act. This list focuses on King's use of figurative language.
  
sear
wither
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.
injustice
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.
manacle
One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.
segregation
One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.
poverty
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.
vast
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.
prosperity
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.
architect
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.
republic
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.
promissory
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.
default
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.
insufficient
Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
funds
Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
justice
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.
bankrupt
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.
opportunity
We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.
desolate
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.
valley
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.
discontent
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
invigorating
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
autumn
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
equality
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
righteousness
No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
stream
No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
oppression
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.
oasis
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.
hew
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.
discord
With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
symphony
With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
Rate this wordlist:
|
Word List Actions:Create a new Word List |
About Us
Become an Affiliate
Technology Licensing
Contributors
Contact Us
Copyright ©1998-2013 Thinkmap, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use
Already a Subscriber?
Join the conversation
Comments from our users: