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

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 OnlineNewhour 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 rich 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 remarkable skill helped King to establish a rapport with his ever-changing audience so that he could consistently communicate on a meaningful level, a skill, of course, that was demonstrated at the March.

What is also apparent in "I Have Dream" is King's deep commitment to scholarship (he earned a PhD 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: Thousands Expected for March on Washington Anniversary, 8-20-03

2. Text of "I Have a Dream"
http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/popular_requests/ (non printable version and partial audio clip)
or
http://www.historychannel.com/speeches/archive/speech_167.html (full audio)

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Rights to Martin Luther King Jr.'s official "I Have a Dream" speech transcript are held by The King Center in Atlanta, Ga. and are unavailable for printable Web distribution.)

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. Source for a variety of speeches and complementary activities
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/thismonth/aug02/index1.shtm

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

7. List of activity questions.

Procedure

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

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

3. Review with literary terms below with the students.

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

Literary Terms

1. Figurative language (From Prentice Hall Literature: Bronze, 1991): "writing or speech that is not meant to be taken literally. The many types of figurative language are known as figures of speech, which include (among others) metaphor, personification, simile and symbol."

• Metaphor: Something in a literary work described as though it were something else. "The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune."
  
  
• Personification: When a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics. The wind ate through the boy's flesh.
  
  
• Simile: A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike subjects using either like or as. She sings as a lark sings but stings like a wasp.
  
  
• Symbol: Anything in literature that stands for or represents something else. The sun symbolizing hope; night symbolizing fear; the tides symbolizing change.
  
  

2. Oratory (From Merriam Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature, 1995): "the rationale and practice of persuasive public speaking." Some oratorical devices include:

• Refrain: A regularly repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song
  
  
• Dramatic pause: An intentional pause in delivery in order to build suspense or magnify the importance of a point.
  
  
• Hyperbole: exaggeration used for emphasis or dramatic effect. We will not breathe again until the injustice has stopped.

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.)

Correlations 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. Before that he 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.