
In the I Have a Dream Speech, what is an example of personification? “I have a dream that one day this country will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed,” Martin Luther King Jr. said in his speech as an example of personification. Personification confers human qualities to something that isn’t human.
What is an example of personification in Martin Luther King's speech?
An example of personification in Martin Luther King's speech is, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.". Personification gives human qualities to something that is not human.
What rhetorical devices are used in the I have a Dream speech?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech is considered one of the greatest works of rhetoric of all time. One reason is its sophisticated use of rhetorical devices, including personification, or giving human qualities to ideas and objects.
What does personification mean in literature?
Personification gives human qualities to something that is not human. The definition of personification is the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as rhetorical figures.
How does King personify the United States in this passage?
In the example of “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed,” King is personifying the United States by giving it human qualities. The United States is simply a plot of land; it cannot physically or mentally rise up; however, the people who call themselves United States citizens can do this.

What is an example of symbolism in the I have a dream speech?
In "I Have a Dream," the repeating concept of the dream stands in for an overall vision of racial progress. So MLK's "dreams" are symbols for real-life changes. That's just the tip of the iceberg (boom: that was a metaphor right there). Nearly every paragraph of "I Have a Dream" contains a metaphor.
What are some examples of figurative language in the I have a dream speech?
"Until Justice Rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream" This is a simile because MLK Jr. is comparing Justice rolling down LIKE water. He is also comparing righteousness like a mighty stream. This means that Justice will be like a mighty stream and will be everywhere.
What figurative language did MLK use in his I have a dream speech?
In that speech, MLK Jr. used several different types of figurative language/rhetorical devices in order to convey his message to the people on a deeper level. These devices include personification, allusion, symbolism, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, and anaphora.
What is an example of hyperbole in the I have a dream speech?
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. We could call this example hyperbole, because King is using lots of “alls” and “every”s. But this hyperbole belies a seriousness; he believes that true justice will only come when every person believes in freedom for all.
What are 3 metaphors in I have a dream speech?
By far the most common metaphors used in the speech are those of nature. Dr. King uses metaphors of mountains, valleys, deserts, oases, stones, solid rocks, quicksand, islands, oceans, waters, streams, wind, whirlwinds, and storms.
What are 2 similes in the I have a dream speech?
Examples of similes from the speech are as follows (similes are bolded): '' . . . and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. ''
What literary devices are used in the I have a dream speech?
In “I Have a Dream”, Martin Luther King Jr. extensively uses repetitions, metaphors, and allusions. Other rhetorical devices that you should note are antithesis, direct address, and enumeration. Rhetorical devices are language tools used to make speakers' arguments both appealing and memorable.
What rhetorical device is used in I have a dream speech?
Building up to a dream Rhetorical devices are abundant in the “I Have A Dream” speech. Most noticeable, and frequently used, is anaphora, which our dictionary defines as “the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses”: Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.
How does MLK use alliteration in his I have a dream speech?
Alliteration and Assonance King uses alliteration in one of his most famous lines, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Is there allusion in I have a dream speech?
Martin Luther King, Jr. used the phrase “Five score years ago…” in his “I Have a Dream” speech. This is a reference to President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which originally began with “Four score and seven years ago…” As you can see, King's phrasing is a subtle reference, hence an allusion!
What are 3 examples of a hyperbole?
Examples of hyperbole are:They ran like greased lightning.He's got tons of money.Her brain is the size of a pea.He is older than the hills.I will die if she asks me to dance.She is as big as an elephant!I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.I have told you a million times not to lie!
What are 5 examples of hyperbole?
Hyperbole examplesI'm so hungry, I could eat a horse.My feet are killing me.That plane ride took forever.This is the best book ever written.I love you to the moon and back.The pen is mightier than the sword.I've told you this 20,000 times.Cry me a river.
How does Sandra Cisneros use figurative language?
Sandra Cisneros uses many different types of figurative language in her novella, The House on Mango Street. She uses similes, with their 'like' or 'as' comparisons, to enhance descriptions and give the reader a clear picture of what is being described. They also add to the poetic quality of the work.
How does Langston Hughes use figurative language?
A simile uses the words "like" or "as" to compare two things, and a series of similes are used in the poem to compare a dream deferred to rotting, aging or burdensome items. A dream deferred is compared to a raisin, a sore, rotten meat, a syrupy sweet and a heavy load.
What literary devices are used in the I have a dream speech?
Rhetorical Techniques Of Martin Luther King's “I Have A Dream” SpeechAlliteration. ... Allusion. ... Antithesis. ... Litotes. ... Metaphor. ... Parallelism. ... One More Thing We Learn About Rhetoric From Martin Luther King, Jr.
How does Zora Neale Hurston use figurative language?
Hurston is now regarded as a significant writer in American literature. Her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God receives considerable attention. In this work, she uses figurative language such as symbolism, metaphor, and personification as a way to emphasize and illustrate her message.
What are some rhetorical devices in the "I Have a Dream" speech?
Dr. King uses the rhetorical devices of personification, metaphor, and symbolism in his "I Have a Dream" speech. By doing so, he persuades his read...
What figurative language was used in the "I Have a Dream" speech?
Dr. King uses personification to help listeners visual concepts such as slavery, segregation, and poverty. He uses metaphor to help connect the cha...
What is an example of a metaphor in the "I Have a Dream" speech?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. uses metaphor in his speech to create an understanding of how Black American feel. He compares segregation to deserts,...
What is the image used in the I Have a Dream speech?
King uses an even more relatable image to personify the injustice done to America's black population: a bad check. King describes the March on Washington as the nation's black population coming to the capital to 'cash a check.' In this use of personification, the Declaration of Independence was a check written by the Founding Fathers that guaranteed 'payment' in the form of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all American citizens.
What is the purpose of personification in the Declaration of Independence?
Before the vision of the future in the finale, King uses personification, where a large idea is given the qualities of person, to describe the hardships that African Americans face. Abstract ideas like discrimination and poverty are described as chains and a deserted island, making them personal and relatable. And in the speech's most daring using of personification, the Declaration of Independence is described as a bad check that has not paid off on its promise of 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' for America's black citizens.
What are the founding fathers' ideas?
The Founding Fathers and Declaration of Independence, and its ideas of 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' are nearly sacred in America. Describing the Founders as deadbeats who don't pay their debts and the Declaration as a bounced check is daring and shocking.
What are 4 forms of figurative language that Martin Luther King uses in his speech?
In that speech, MLK Jr. used several different types of figurative language/rhetorical devices in order to convey his message to the people on a deeper level. These devices include personification, allusion, symbolism, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, and anaphora.
What is an example of hyperbole in the I have a dream speech?
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. We could call this example hyperbole, because King is using lots of “alls” and “every”s. But this hyperbole belies a seriousness; he believes that true justice will only come when every person believes in freedom for all.
What literary devices are used in the I have a dream speech?
In “I Have a Dream”, Martin Luther King Jr. extensively uses repetitions, metaphors, and allusions. Other rhetorical devices that you should note are antithesis, direct address, and enumeration.
How does Martin Luther King use rhetoric in his I Have a Dream Speech?
He uses symbolism, metaphorical imagery, and powerful diction to create an impact on the audience. These rhetorical strategies demonstrate ethos, pathos, and logos to help the audience understand Martin Luther King Jr’s message and purpose. … At this point this speech is already creating an appeal of pathos.
What are some metaphors used in the I Have a Dream Speech?
By far the most common metaphors used in the speech are those of nature. Dr. King uses metaphors of mountains, valleys, deserts, oases, stones, solid rocks, quicksand, islands, oceans, waters, streams, wind, whirlwinds, and storms.
What are some examples of parallelism in the I Have a Dream Speech?
Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one very famous example of parallel structure: I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
How is logos used in I Have a Dream Speech?
Martin Luther king uses logos through out his whole speech, “I have a Dream”. To make the audience know that they have not been given equal opportunities, equal rights, and the respect that the white people get. … Throughout his speech, his audience responds to him by applauding with agreement.
Personification in "I Have a Dream" Speech
Personification is the act of giving humanlike characteristics and emotions to animals and inanimate objects. Personification is used to create a more vivid understanding of an idea and to create an emotional connection. When flowers dance in the wind, they are personified. They are not dancing, just being blown about by the wind.
Metaphors in "I Have a Dream" Speech
A metaphor directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. Metaphors create clarity by comparing something unfamiliar with something more familiar.
What is personification in the human mind?
The definition of personification is the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as rhetorical figures. The idea of personification is to create a more relatable situation by giving life-like qualities to nonliving objects. Martin Luther King uses personification in his speech ...
How did Martin Luther King personify the United States?
In the example of "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed," King is personifying the United States by giving it human qualities.
What is a personification in Martin Luther King speech?
Personification is a form of figurative language in which something has nonhuman human qualities. One example of this in MLK Jr.’s writing is “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed”.
What is an example of alliteration in the I have a dream speech?
Alliteration and Assonance King uses alliteration in one of his most famous lines, “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
What figurative language is used in the I have a dream speech?
In that speech, MLK Jr. used several different types of figurative language/rhetorical devices in order to convey his message to the people on a deeper level. These devices include personification, allusion, symbolism, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, and anaphora.
Why is personification used in speeches?
Personification is a way of using storytelling to craft your speech by personifying complex or abstract ideas or thoughts. Your audience may better understand a complex subject when you give it human qualities and characteristics.
What is an example of parallelism in the I Have a Dream speech?
1. Use parallelism (parallel structure) … Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one very famous example of parallel structure: I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
How is ethos used in I Have a Dream speech?
ETHOS: King started his speech with the lines, “ I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation .” King’s initial words are a call for unity and to take a united stand against discrimination. … This adds ethical appeal to his speech.
What is personification give example?
Personification is when you give an object or animal human behaviors. An example of personification would be in the nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle,” where “the little dog laughed to see such fun.”
