Martin Luther King Jr.
I Have a Dream
(Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., August 28, 1963)
Gist :
Martin Luther King Jr. addressed that Negro was not free and crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked “insufficient fundsHe told that it was the time to lift their nation from the quick-sands of racial injustice to the sold rock of brotherhood. It was also mentioned that it would be for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro.
He told that they must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. He had a dream that one day the nation would rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. He dreamt that slaves and owners would sit together at a table of brotherhood, a state of injustice and oppression would become an oasis of freedom and justice, little black boys and black girls would join hands with little white boys and white girls.
It was a hope that with faith they would work, pray, struggle, go to jail, standup for freedom together, knowing that they would be free one day.
Questions with Answers :
1. What is the background of the speech ?
The back ground of the speech is a demonstration for the freedom of millions of Negro slaves in the United States of America. The speech was delivered by Martin on August 28, 1963 at Lincoln Memorial Washington D.C.
2. Who is the ‘Great American’ that Martin Luther is referring to in the beginning of his speech ?
The ‘Great American’ that Martin Luther was referring to in the beginning of his speech was President Abraham Lincoln.
3. Explain the symbolic meaning of the words like ‘check’ ‘promissory note’, etc, in the speech
The symbolic meaning is of the words like ‘check’ ‘promissory note’ is right to live, right toliberty and right to pursuit of happiness. The author metaphorically used the words to represent the rights they were guaranteed by the American Constitution.
4. What according to Martin Luther King is the ‘urgency of the moment’ that needs to be addressed ?
The ‘urgency of the moment’ that Martin Luther King addressed was the urgency of the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice and brotherhood. The urgency of freedom and equality of the Negro.
5. What is the hope that the speaker expresses ?
The hope that Martin expresses is that, one day America will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. He dreamt that slaves and owners would sit together at a table of brotherhood, a state of injustice and oppression would become an oasis of freedom and justice, little black boys and black girls would join hands with little white boys and white girls.
6. Explain the meaning of the poetic lines ‘My country,…Let freedom ring’
My country it is about you which is a sweet nation of freedom, I sing about you. This is the land where my fore fathers died, this the land of pilgrims pride. Let the shouts of freedom to the Negro be heard from every mountain side.
7. What was the discrimination meted out to the blacks, according to the speaker ?
The discrimination that was meted out to the blacks, according to the speaker was a a life of slavery. Millions of Negro slaves had seared in the flames of withering injustice. They have been veterans of creative suffering.
8. Is the speaker optimistic or pessimistic in his tone ? Find suitable examples to substantiate your answer.
The speaker is optimistic in his tone. Martin’s optimism can be substantiated from, “one day America will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. He dreamt that slaves and owners would sit together at a table of brotherhood, a state of injustice and oppression would become an oasis of freedom and justice, little black boys and black girls would join hands with little white boys and white girls”.