"I HAVE A DREAM" AS A WORK OF LITERATURE
Background, activities and critical analysis
By Doug DuBrin, an English/history teacher, editor and writer

Overview: Students will study Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and discuss the rhetorical influences on King's speech, the oratorical devices that King uses in delivering his speech and how a speech is similar to/different from other literary forms.

Time: One class period, plus extended activities

Background:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s most memorable speech from his life as an activist, "I Have a Dream," was delivered August 28, 1963 before more than 200,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. as part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (see Online Newhour article link below).

The speech not only helped to galvanize the already growing civil-rights movement across the country at the time, it also became one of the most influential and inspirational pieces of rhetoric in American history.

Remarkably, midway through his delivery, King suspended his pre-scripted text and began to improvise; what resulted was the speech's most recognizable section, the passage in which the words "I have a dream" are passionately repeated.

Indeed, King's background as a Baptist preacher in the South instilled in him a keen awareness of the urgency of the moment and the ability to make sudden alterations to his plans. This skill helped King establish a rapport with his ever-changing audience so that he could consistently communicate on a meaningful level, a skill that was demonstrated at the March.

What is also apparent in "I Have Dream" is King's deep commitment to scholarship (he earned a Ph.D. from Boston University). King was clearly well versed in both American history and religious scripture, and he seamlessly weaves references to both into the fabric of his oration.

Overall, "I Have a Dream" can be held up as a masterful creative work in itself; its dramatic structure coupled with its image-laden content render a remarkably moving piece of American literature that when read even outside of its original context still strongly resonates today.

Materials

1. Copy of Online NewsHour Extra article: The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

2. Text of "I Have a Dream": Printer-friendly PDF version
and full audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA

3. Text of John F. Kennedy's inaugural address
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/35_kennedy/psources/ra_inaug.html

4. Text of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/war/gettysburg_address.html

5. Additional source for speeches
http://www.historychannel.com/speeches/

6. Biographical information on King
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/reference/articles/martin_luther_king.html

7. Literary Terms: Printer-friendly PDF version

Procedure

1. Begin by supplying foundation material for the students through the Online NewsHour Extra article, the background explanation above and the links provided.

2. Distribute the complete text of "I Have a Dream" (see link above).

3. Review literary terms (see link above) with the students.

4. Have the students carefully read the entire speech, either in small groups or individually -- preferably aloud. After they have read the text, ask them to address the following activity questions:

5. Discuss the responses as a class.

Extension Activity I

For this activity, have the students compare the structure and content of "I Have a Dream," Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" and Kennedy's inaugural address (see links above). This activity may be done with any number of other influential speeches as well (see links).

A primary goal here is to help the students see the common structural and figurative threads that tie together many famous oratorical works.

After the students have carefully studied the three speeches, you may wish to begin with the following questions, being sure they defend their responses with supporting examples:

• How are the speeches alike and/or different in their choices of language? In other words, do the speeches seem as if they were composed for the general public or rather for specific groups?
  
  
• Of the three, which do you see as being the most direct? That is, which speech uses the least amount of figurative language and/or obscure references?
  
  
• Which of the three is the most metaphorical in its content? In other words, which makes the most use of figurative language?
  
  
• For each speech, explain how relevant its ideas would be in society if the speech were delivered today. Do the mentioned struggles still exist? Has the country evolved since the speeches were given? Has society responded to the specific appeals for change?
  
  
• Based strictly on the texts themselves, which speech do you see as the most:

1. eloquent?
2. passionate?
3. intellectual?
4. persuasive?
5. honest?

Extension Activity II

In the spirit of "I Have a Dream," have the students compose and deliver speeches that address a wrong or injustice they see in society. Suggested guidelines are:

• 5-10 minutes in length
• Clearly defined opening, body and conclusion
• Clearly defined thesis (main point)
• Use of supporting examples to support thesis
• Use of figurative language
• Use of oratorical devices such as refrain and hyperbole
• Clearly expressed goals (legal reform; public awareness; etc.)

Correlation to National Standards

For detailed explanations, please consult
http://www.ncte.org/standards/standards.shtml

Standards that are satisfied by this lesson plan include 1, 2, 6, 9, and 11.

Author Doug DuBrin currently teaches English and history at the French International School in Bethesda, MD. He has also taught English and history at Arizona School for the Arts in Phoenix. Doug is also a freelance writer and editor.

To find out more about opportunities to contribute to this site, contact Leah Clapman at extra@newshour.org.