Rhetorical Situation final
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Louisiana State University *
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Course
1005
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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5
Uploaded by GrandRose12776
Name - Sumit Dhungana (890974445)
1.
What is the Kairotic Moment for each of these speeches?
●
What is motivating the writer to produce this piece?
At the time of their speeches, the United States was undergoing significant
social, cultural, and political changes as the Civil Rights Movement gained
momentum. The motivation behind these speeches were to reinforce civil rights
movement and to extend the hand on ongoing activism to end racial
discrimination and injustice.
●
What social, cultural, political, legal or economic conversation does this argument
join?
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech was a powerful expression of
his vision for a future in which all people are treated equally. The speech joined
the larger social, cultural, political, legal and economic conversation by offering a
powerful vision of a future in which all people, regardless of race, could live
together in peace and
had equal treatment under the law. The speech added to
activism demanding voting rights for African Americans. The speech also called
for an equal working opportunity for African Americans.
Malcolm X's "We Didn't Land on Plymouth Rock" also joined a broader social,
cultural, political, legal and economic conversation which called for an inclusive
understanding of American history that included the contributions of African
Americans. He demanded that the African American be allowed to enjoy the
constitution just like their counterparts. He specifically underlined how their
forefather invested 310 years of day and night into the American economy and
political system. He believed this investment made African Americans worthy of
equal stake in America as the nation was their very own. He empowered African
Americans to demand equal constitutional rights and to reject the idea that they
should be content with anything less.
2.
Explain similarities and differences in audience of each speech?
●
Who is the intended audience?
"I Have a Dream" was intended for a broad audience, including African
Americans, the American public, American government officials and supporters of
the Civil Rights Movement.
“We Didn't Land on Plymouth Rock" was primarily intended for African American
audience.
●
What assumptions, values and beliefs would readers have to hold to find this
argument persuasive?
For both of the speeches, the audience would have to be open to the idea that
change was necessary and that they had a role to play in bringing about that
change. The audience would also have to belief that all people should be treated
equally and that racial discrimination and separation in social, political, cultural,
economic or any other aspect were intolerable.
For King's speech, they would also need to hold the value that non-violent protest
were effective and legitimate methods for achieving change.
For Malcolm X's speech, they would need to hold the value that a more militant
approach was necessary. They need to belief that non-violent approach failed to
achieve their goal.
●
How well does the text suit the audience?
Both of the speeches suited their respective audiences well. For King’s broader
audience, the use of memorable phrases, such as "I have a dream," helped to
make the speech both emotionally powerful and memorable. It helped King’s
message reach a global audience. For Malcolm X’s smaller audience consisting
of only African American, the use of confrontational and bold language, such as
"We didn't land on Plymouth Rock, the rock was landed on us," and the use of
historic reference of pain and sufferings helped to connect with them and to
make a powerful statement.
3.
Compare/contract each speech/writer by analyzing their vision and identity.
●
Who is the writer and what is his or her profession, background, and expertise?
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist
minister, activist, and leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He was educated at
Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston University, where
he received his PhD in systematic theology. King was a prominent figure in the
Civil Rights Movement and is best known for his role in the advancement of civil
rights using a nonviolent approach based on his Christian beliefs. He was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was assassinated in 1968.
Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist. He was
born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925 and had a difficult childhood marked by
poverty and the loss of his father to violence. He became involved in criminal
activity and was eventually sentenced to prison, where he discovered the Nation
of Islam and converted to Islam. After his release from prison, Malcolm X became
a prominent leader in the Nation of Islam and was known for his bold and
confrontational speeches on issues of race, justice, and equality. He later left the
Nation of Islam and converted to Sunni Islam, and he continued to be a powerful
voice for African American rights until his assassination in 1965.
●
How does the writer’s personal history, education, gender, ethnicity, age, class,
sexual orientation, and political leaning influence the angle of vision?
In the case of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, their personal experiences
as African American men in the United States shaped their perspectives and
influenced the way they viewed and spoke about issues of race, equality, and
justice.
King's education in theology and his training in nonviolent civil disobedience, for
example, influenced his belief in the power of nonviolent protest and his faith in
the idea that change could be achieved through peaceful means.
Malcolm X, on the other hand, was influenced by his experiences with poverty,
discrimination, and criminal activity, which led him to adopt a more militant and
separatist approach for equality and justice. As a former member of the Nation of
Islam, his political views were also influenced by his religious beliefs.
●
What is emphasized in each text?
Although both speeches share a common goal and address the issue of racial
inequality and the struggle for equality and justice, the way they emphasize their
message and the approach they take to achieve that goal are different.
In "I Have a Dream," King emphasizes the importance of non-violent resistance
and unity among all races. He argues that African Americans should not give up
on their pursuit of equality, but instead continue to peacefully protest and demand
their rights. He also stresses the importance of education, economic
empowerment, and the need for African Americans to have equal opportunities in
all aspects of life. He urges his fellow African American to believe that one day
the nation of America would overcome the racial injustice.
On the other hand, in "We Didn't Land on Plymouth Rock," Malcolm emphasizes
the need for a more militant and separatist approach towards equality and
justice. He emphasizes the need for African Americans to be self-reliant and to
reject the systemic racism that exists in American society. He argues that African
Americans should not rely on the government or the white majority to bring about
change, but instead should take control of their own lives and fight for their rights.
He also critiqued the mainstream civil rights movement for being too passive and
accommodating in its approach to achieving equality.
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●
How much does the writer’s angle of vision dominate the text?
In the case of "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr. and "We Didn't Land on
Plymouth Rock" by Malcolm X, the writer's angle of vision is a dominant force in
both speeches. King's non-violent and inclusive perspective is evident in his call
for unity and equality, while Malcolm X's militant and separatist views are evident
in his rejection of systemic racism and his emphasis on self-reliance.
In both speeches, the writer's angle of vision informs their choice of language,
the examples they use, and the way they present their arguments. For example,
Malcolm X includes words such as “You need some judo, you need some
karate”, “fight for freedom” in his speech while King uses words such as “sit down
together at the table of brotherhood” which are dominated by their perspective.
Malcolm X also believed that African American shouldn’t rely on the government
or mainstream leaders of the civil right movement on their mission. His choice of
words such as “they didn’t get it by signing we shall overcome” shows that his
stance was in contrast to the more conciliatory and integrative approach of other
civil rights leaders, who sought to work within the existing political and social
systems to bring about change.
4.
How does the genre and the arguments place of publication influence its content?
Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at a political
rally held in Washington D.C. The speech was delivered in front of the Lincoln
Memorial to an audience of approximately 250,000 people. The location of the
speech had a significant impact on the content of the speech, as it took place in
the nation's capital and was intended to be a demonstration of the growing
political power of the African American community. By delivering the speech in
front of the Lincoln Memorial, King was drawing a connection between the never-
ending struggles of African Americans even after tens of years of demolition of
slavery, and was emphasizing the importance of the civil rights movement as a
continuation of the fight for freedom and equality in America. Additionally, the
location of the speech in Washington D.C. also made it possible for King to
address a global audience, as the speech was broadcasted on television and
radio and was heard by millions of people across the globe. This allowed King to
bring attention to the issue of civil rights and to mobilize support for the cause on
a global scale.
Malcolm X gave his speech at the Audubon ballroom in Manhattan, New York
City where he would later be shot multiple times and killed by members of Nation
of Islam. His messages echo louder than ever, not only at the hall of Audubon
Ballroom but across the United States fifty-seven years later, even today after he
was brutally killed on his pursuit to eradicate injustice and racism rooted in
American society. The Audubon ballroom and his assassination has come to
symbolize the dangers and difficulties faced by African Americans in their
struggle for equality and justice.
5.
Compare and contrast the writing style of the two different authors.
●
How do the writer’s language choices and sentence length and complexity
contribute to the impact of the argument?
In King's speech, he uses simple, direct language and repetitive phrases, such
as "I have a dream," to make his message memorable and easily accessible to a
wide audience. He also employs metaphors, such as the "mountain of despair",
the “promised land”, the "beam of hope" and the “sweltering with the heat of
oppression” to convey complex ideas in an emotional and relatable way. King
uses peaceful yet powerful phrases in his speech like “beautiful symphony of
brotherhood”, “sit down together at the table of brotherhood”. These peaceful
phrases demonstrate King's commitment to nonviolence and his belief that a
peaceful resolution to the struggle for racial equality was possible through
consistency.
On the other hand, Malcolm X's speech uses comparatively longer sentences
with complex structure. He also uses historical references and examples, such
as the "Plymouth Rock" metaphor, “African Nationalism”, to make a more
intellectual argument. Malcolm X also introduces pathos with use of phrases
such as “310 years of slave labor”, “they never had a day off” to elicit aggression
in the audience. The language choices and sentence length and complexity in
Malcolm X's speech serve to emphasize the depth of the issues he is addressing
and the importance of black self-reliance and empowerment.
●
How well does the writer’s tone (attitude toward the subject) suit the argument?
The tone in each speech is well-suited to the argument being made and helps to
communicate their message in a powerful and impactful way.
In "I Have a Dream," King's tone is hopeful, motivative, and positive. He speaks
of a future where racial equality and justice are achieved, and his message is
delivered with a sense of urgency and a call to peaceful and consistent action.
The tone of the speech is meant to encourage and inspire the audience to
continue the fight for justice.
In "We Didn't Land on Plymouth Rock," Malcolm X's tone is passionate, angry,
and confrontational. He speaks of the long history of racial injustice suffered by
African Americans, 310 years of their forefather’s investment and the need for
them to fight for their deserved rights and dignity. The tone of the speech is
meant to inspire African Americans to take action and resist the oppression they
face.