He states, Many people have questioned me about the wisdom of my path. A lot of parts from Martin Luther Kings dream have come true, but it is still not all that is how King wanted it to be. Right at the outset, King involves religious figures to establish the credibility for his reason and to prove that war was improper and inhuman. Rhetorical Analysis of MLK's Speech "Beyond Vietnam", Key Ingredients to Being a Successful Student. The paper also analyzes Martin Luther Kings speech I have a dream with the purpose of rhetorical devices and how well they have been used in the speech, and how Afro-Americans conditions have been at the time. We Will Write a Custom Case Study SpecificallyFor You For Only $13.90/page! Martin Luther King Jr is an African American preacher and civil rights activist that along with every other African American male and female in 1976 was waging a war in America for their not-so-natural born rights. In a solemn tone, he talks about their crops being destroyed and their water being poisoned, presumably referring to Agent Orange. The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis. For these practical and logical reasons, the church should join the opposition. Finally, as the speech comes to a close, King writes, If Americas soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read: Vietnam. King goes so far as to suggest that the war will bring America to its death if it continues overlooking the problems Americans are facing at home. Moreover, Martin Luther King states that after the French were defeated, it looked as if independence and land reform would come again through the Geneva Agreement (King). However, a very powerful speech, in manys opinion, is the Ive Been to the Mountaintop speech, given shortly before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. We try to make TeenInk.com the best site it can be, and we take your feedback very seriously. In his speech on the meaninglessness of the Vietnam war and to persuade the audience to listen to its own conscience rather than to conform to the idea of war in the name of patriotism, King Jr draws from the realms of economy, society, polity as well as religion and philosophy. Dr. King's purpose is . Perhaps the most convincing part of the speech is the emotional appeal. To construct a clear and strong picture and show how condemnable the war exercises in Vietnam were, King compared it with an arena of gladiators which even if it amuses and engages, is something absolutely animal and barbaric. King Jr makes a strong statement against war and his speech successfully evokes compassion and sympathy for the poor and the weak in both Vietnam and America. Martin Luther King Jr proves to all throughout his speech Beyond Vietnam --- A Time to Break Silence that the Vietnam war was unjust by his use of emotional diction, the allusion of Jim crow, and repetition. Many great speeches are increasingly different. King Jr knew that war creates confusion and that his audiences mind was boggled with questions. However, the persuasiveness of his speeches does not come solely from his ability to connect with his audience's emotions but from an extraordinary ability to reason and validate his point. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. He then outlines the history of the war in Vietnam, showing that he is not simply preaching about religious ideals. While pathos elicits an emotional response from the audience to make them more accepting of Kings ideas, repetition structures the speech and emphasizes key ideas for the audience to take away from listening. Lastly, Martin Luther King uses logos in his famous speech. Furthermore the Kings parallel structure clarifies and highlights his intent by building up to a more important point. As example, King uses I have a dream that one day and Let freedom ring.. to open his points on how Americans should change against racial indifferences. 663 Words; Nothing evokes a more emotional response than the image of children suffering or being killed. More importantly, King states that, the poor has been manipulated into believing a type of reality that simply isnt accurate or fair on their part. He calls the situation some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war. In Martin Luther King Jr's passionate speech about America's involvement in Vietnam, he manages to create a strong and compelling argument that America's involvement in unjust . He then goes on to reveal some of his more personal feelings. This quote is referencing how poor and rich people were drafted to war but the poor people had no one left to support the family. May 4, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. 6 Effective Content Marketing Strategies You May Have Overlooked, Market Analysis Definition (With Explanation and Examples). The line, For the sake of those boys, for the sake of this government, for the sake of the hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence, I cannot be silent, demonstrates how King uses parallelism. He successfully proves that The United States has done far more harm to the Vietnamese than good. His choice of diction and use of imagery help him deliver his point effectively in a manner that impresses both the audience's heart and mind. Martin Luther King Jr. Src: Pixabay Read a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr's Beyond Vietnam: Time to break silence. The war was only going to consume lives and resources. He is using historical facts to create a parallel between the current situation and the past. This convinces the reader to fully consider how the war has brought detrimental consequences, and through Kings diction, he is capable of convincing his audience to, When speaking about how the war had initially seem to have brought opportunities, he says, Then came the buildup in Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor. Evidently, the program for the poor was meant to be used in helping the poor, but as soon as the funds were directed to the Vietnam War, resources were no longer cast in their direction. Moreover, Martin Luther King Jr meticulously chooses specific words that carry with them a negative connotation that helps associate the Vietnamese war with injustice. Martin Luther King notes that we have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools (King). Correct writing styles (it is advised to use correct citations) King, Martin Luther Jr. Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence. Church Meeting, 1967, Riverside Church, New York City. Need a custom essay sample written specially to meet your If it is, let us trace its movements and pray that our own inner being may be sensitive to its guidance, for we are deeply in need of a new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us. This is an obvious and extremely effective argument, especially among a group of Christian church leaders. As a civil right mover he gave this great speech to all Americans (black and white) so that he could give off the idea of equality on the same level. Despite having a shining moment of experiments, hopes, [and] new beginnings during the struggle for human rights, King illustrates the Vietnam War as broken and eviscerate and a political plaything of a society gone mad on war. Not to mention, many young people protested because they were the ones being drafted while others were against the war because the anti-war movement grew increasingly popular among the counterculture and drug culture in American society and. By expressing how much he believes in the American dream and a new dawn, it reassures people that even though there is little progress at a time, King will always fight not only for himself, but his family, friends, and all those who are not held to the same respect. to help you write a unique paper. He tries to make people see the other side of the picture where both black and white men were being pushed into hell without considering and questioning the outcome. Pathos is a method applied to represent an appeal to feelings and emotions in a speech and other various kinds of writing. It permits Dr. King to enlighten people of what was going in that time period. There were many reasons why so many Americans were against the war. He mentions that the war has led to the increase of violence in . Likewise, the image of men, both black and while, "in brutal solidarity burning the huts of a poor village," helps establish the war in Vietnam as a complete disaster and atrocity. To this day, Kings speech remains one of the most famous and influential speeches in, Martin Luther King was a determined activist for equality for all. Favorite Quote:Life is like a box of cheese and flower petal sometimes it's soft and sweet, sometimes it just plain stinks. The war according to King Jr. is nothing more than a political game played for the sake of fun and ego. The United States got involved in the Vietnam War because they wanted to stop the spread of communism. King makes the nation appears as hypocrites because Americans pretend to fight as a united nation whereas segregation is among the same schools, the same neighborhood, the same country. The audience now feel as though this is very important because it has to do with regular poor people and t effects them as well. Likewise, during this time period, America [put little effort into] rehabilitation of its poor creating an even harder life for them (Source A). Dont He also mentions emotional situations the readers probably cant even imagine. All they wanted was to save the soul of America (King, Beyond, 42). We try to make TeenInk.com the best site it can be, and we take your feedback very seriously. Moreover, this set of diction allows King to logically state that he can not continue to fight on behalf of the oppressed if he himself doesn't address their oppressor, the U.S. government. Here, Martin Luther King Jr is getting the audience emotionally and completely invested by showing the effect of America in Vietnam on their lives. Therefore, to remain silent would truly be betrayal. * Hyperlink the URL after pasting it to your document, American Women Struggle in the 20th Century, Charlottesville Tragedy: Racial Issue in the USA, Prison Staffing and Correctional Officers Duties, Gender Issues in the Us Correctional System. He efficiently uses the anecdote to tell how he has spoken with young men, telling them how violence will not solve their problems. The problems being faced by either America or Vietnam were never going to be solved through rifles but through peaceful and nonviolent action. Manacles of discrimination, Lonely island of poverty and Chains of discrimination paint a bleak picture of life as a minority in America, and contrasts phrases such as Bright day of justice and Sacred obligation which symbolize freedom. writing your own paper, but remember to It allows them to imagine what might happen if America were to keep fighting in the war. Kings letter is a response to those in the church who have critizied him, Yet, instead of apologizing, he stands strong for his cause and turns it around on them stating his own critisim. In addition, his use of parallelism allows him to appeal to his audience's pity for the oppressed in order for him to express his call to action, a call for activism that goes beyond Vietnam. (2022) 'The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis'. Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence speech delivered on April 4, 1967, revolved around the growing concern with America's involvement in the Vietnam war. Rhetorical Analysis, Martin Luther King Rhetorical Devices Analysis, Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.S Speech, A Rhetorical Analysis Journey Through Martin Luther King Jr.s SpeechI Have a Dream. Public Speech. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. 663 Words; If you have a suggestion about this website or are experiencing a problem with it, or if you need to report abuse on the site, please let us know. He spoke at Riverside Church in New York City, a venue that had a history of hosting progressive speakers and thinkers. It also describes the Jim Crow laws and the busboy cot from 1955. In conclusion, Martin Luther King, Jr uses ethos, pathos, and logos, among other rhetorical devices, to support his argument that American policy in Vietnam was inconsistent with its treatment of African-Americans in the United States. King calms the African Americans who are being oppressed by using the words, this situation can and will be changed. and Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. which gives them hope that there will be a new day when a change will take place. The author is using pathos as one of his central rhetorical strategies. StudyCorgi. And, to argue that King 's most radical days were never fulfilled; that his next campaign was to confront the president over the Vietnam War and economic disparity, a direct confrontation with a president over an immoral war state Hill and Wang from the book review. The irony is explicit in Kings words that the war is just an attempt to cover and hide the more pressing issues before America. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. It is clear that he wants the audience of church leaders to go back to their churches and fearlessly speak out in opposition of the war. He proves that the government has been manipulating the poor when he writes, It was sending. StudyCorgi. Thank you for sharing this page with a friend! Due to the Vietnam War is that plenty of individuals, both Americans and Vietnamese were killed. (21). Kings criticism of the war as broken and eviscerated, allows him to establish a disappointed tone that conveys the idea that the war is immoral and by doing so his precise word choice lets him to attack it as such. He says we were taking the black young men who had been crippled by our society and sending them eight thousand miles away to guarantee liberties in Southeast Asia which they had not found in southwest Georgia and East Harlem. King uses this statement to point out the inconsistency with America trying to establish freedom far away before establishing freedom on their own home soil. He uses metaphorical imagery, powerful diction,and symbolism to create an impact on the audience. Registered address: Louki Akrita, 23 Bellapais Court, Flat/Office 46 1100, Nicosia, Cyprus This demonstrates to the audience that he realizes it is going to be difficult for them to speak out in opposition of the government. Kings dialect showed the audience civil right issues, involving many rhetorical strategies using ethos, logos, and pathos, to a racially tempered crowd whom he viewed as different, but not equal. He was in the process of proving that it wasn 't a money issue in America, but an equality issue. Dr. King paints a vivid, heart-wrenching picture of the devastation in Vietnam. These two techniques played a crucial role in furthering his purpose and in provoking a powerful response from the audience that made this speech memorable and awe-inspiring. This special lyrical and parallel structure helped get his main points across and allows a large audience to understand simple but powerful words (Layfield) . By claiming that the United States, "the greatest purveyor of violence," prefers, "massive doses of violence to solve its problems," King effectively establishes the U.S. government as the pervasive wrongdoer. In Dr. Martin Luther King's speech "Beyond VietnamA Time to Break Silence" (1967), Dr. King asserts that the war in Vietnam is totally immoral and has far reaching negative implications not only for Vietnam, but for The United States and the rest of the World as well. Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Beyond Vietnam 534 Words3 Pages In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his speech "Beyond Vietnam-A Time to Break Silence." In the speech, King argues against American involvement in the Vietnam War and explains why he cannot remain silent. King uses quotes as these to suggest to convince them of the destruction of the Vietnam War, with pathos, by strongly appealing to his audience's emotion. Additionally, Kings statement that Southeast Asia is eight thousand miles away strengthens the irony by making Southeast Asia seem like a place which is completely disconnected from America. If you are the original creator of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal. Please note that while we value your input, we cannot respond to every message. Over the past two years, as I have moved to break the betrayal of my own silences and to speak from the burnings of my own heart, as I have called for radical departures from the destruction of Vietnam, many persons have questioned me about the wisdom of my path. If you use an assignment from StudyCorgi website, it should be referenced accordingly. Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; Issues have been resolved because now the draft is less common because more people volunteer for war so the poor are not forced. Rhetorical Analysis Of Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence By Martin Luther King "Beyond Vietnam-A Time to Break Silence" is an article written by Martin Luther King Jr himself. StudyCorgi, 4 May 2022, studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. His audience at Riverside Church, likely familiar with his Civil Rights work, would most likely than view him with more credibility because they too could sympathize to an injustice done by the American government. Luthers speech was a passionate rhetoric that preached his views about the future. "The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis." He says, To me the relationship of this ministry to the making of peace is so obvious that I sometimes marvel at those who ask me why Im speaking against the war (12). King supports his discussion by establishing authority and appealing to his listeners emotions. Dr. Kings purpose is to make the church leaders he is speaking to aware that the time has come for them to speak out loudly in opposition of the war in Vietnam. Public opinion steadily turned against the war following 1967 and by 1970 only a third of Americans believed that the U.S. had not made a mistake by sending troops to fight in Vietnam (Wikipedia). Martin Luther King Jr is an African American preacher and civil rights activist that along with every other African American male and female in 1976 was waging a war in America for their not-so-natural born rights. The rhetoric helps prove how the poor lived worse in the, King, a supporter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his Great Society, became concerned about U.S. involvement in Vietnam. These emotionally charged images would seemingly convince anyone that the cause for this war could not possibly be just. Then came the buildup in Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war(8). Dr. King plainly states his purpose near the beginning of his speech. Martin Luther King Jr. disagreed with the way the war was being handled, and thought nonviolent demonstrations would be more efficient. Rhetorical Devices In Beyond Vietnam Speech 736 Words3 Pages All they wanted was "to save the soul of America" (King, Beyond, 42). The speaker comments, that they wander into the hospitals with at least twenty casualties from American firepower for one Vietcong-inflicted injury. He expresses that the first step toward equality as the earth moving and nations running with fear. His choice of words in the speech is meant to have a direct effect on the audience's psychology. Acting almost as a climax, King lyrically urges his audience to voice their opinions and wage a war against this unjustified war in Vietnam. 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118, USA. Widely known for his work in the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr eventually also gained momentum in the anti-war movement against the war in Vietnam. War is expensive. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. He also states, I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. Introduction Martin Luther King, Jr in his speech "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" argued that US foreign policy was hypocritical when compared to the inequality present in the United States. For example, he writes vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will, drown your sisters and brothers and hated filled policemen even kill your brothers and sisters (3). This quote causes the audience to realize the contradiction in the Vietnam war policy, making them less likely to accept. Rhetorical Analysis of MLK's Speech "Beyond Vietnam" December 22, 2016 By Richcoca PLATINUM, Canoga Park, California More by this author Widely known for his work in the Civil Rights Movement,. All rights reserved. He also affirms that people have better options and that the idea of war, despite that it sounds patriotic is basically inhuman. Choose skilled expert on your subject and get original paper with free plagiarism If he had not shown knowledge of the background of the war, it would be easy to dismiss his other pleas as lofty religious ideals. Favorite Quote:Make as many as mistakes as you want, just don't make the same mistake. The rhythm and frequent repetition are used to drive home his key points, stressing the importances of his goal. War makes the innocent lose hope and leaves behind horrific memories for generations on both sides. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love (8). Martin Luther King Jr says in his first paragraph that,"It seemed as if there was a real promise fr hope to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destruction suction tube." When he argues that the war's immoral nature should be "incandescently clear," he implies to his audience that those who do not voice their opinion against the war are not concerned for, "the integrity and life of America.". Through his use of imagery, diction, and parallel structure, Martin Luther King Jr associates the war in Vietnam with injustice in his famous speech, Beyond Vietnam A Time to Break Silence. Martin Luther King Jr. applies imagery throughout his speech in order to illustrate the horrors of the war to arouse anger at its atrocities and injustice. Hence, Kings works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. His speech grows deeply sarcastic at times. Not only were they fighting for their own rights in 1976, but they were sending away the son, husbands, brothers of other Americans thousands of miles away to the country of Vietnam to fight an unjust war for the rights of the people in Southeast Asia. King was really able to speak to his audience by using evidence, reasoning, and a persuasive writing style throughout his speech. 838 Words Through his compelling arguments and moral vision, King inspired many people to join the movement against the Vietnam War and to work for a more just and peaceful world. To achieve this, he used rhetorical strategies such as appeal to pathos and repetition. How about receiving a customized one? Favorite Quote:"Faith is taking another step without seeing the entire staircase.". assume youre on board with our, Martin Luther King Jr. vs. President Obama, https://graduateway.com/rhetorical-analysis-of-martin-luther-kings-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence/. In other words, the resources were used for the soldiers, yet the poor still needed them just as so. Public opinion steadily turned against the war following 1967 and by 1970 only a third of Americans believed that the U.S. had not made a mistake by sending troops to fight in Vietnam (Wikipedia). 1. He states, repeatedly, To begin, King uses figurative language in the first half of his speech to highlight the destructive nature of the war, strengthening his overall position. 2022. Encompassed within this quote is pathos because the harsh accusation leads the reader to think poorly of the government while pitying the poor. Dr. King includes a brief, but poignant history of the war in Vietnam which is important because he needs to prove that he knows and understands the politics of the situation. By repeating the phrase, for the sake, he creates a rhythmic flow that causes his audience to be more receptive to his idea. King wants his audience. However, he wishes that they would have lived up to his respect, and continues to hope that they will do so in the future. submit it as your own as it will be considered plagiarism. Many people believed that America had no reason to interfere, Dr. King being one of those people. He says, And we must rejoice as well, for surely this is the first time in our nation's history that a significant number of its religious leaders have chosen to move beyond the prophesying of smooth patriotism to the high grounds of a firm dissent based upon the mandates of conscience and the reading of history. (2022, May 4). By claiming that the United States, the greatest purveyor of violence, prefers, massive doses of violence to solve its problems, King effectively establishes the U.S. government as the pervasive wrongdoer. In Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence", delivered at Riverside Church in New York City on April 4, 1967, he claims that the American involvement in the Vietnam War is unjust. He does it to engage peoples imagination and to awaken their consciences. His pleas are first to the audiences sense of logic and their immediate concerns for their own country. Likewise, the image of men, both black and while, in brutal solidarity burning the huts of a poor village, helps establish the war in Vietnam as a complete disaster and atrocity. They all had the same goal, but took a different approach with their speeches, and how they would rally support to improve racial equality. He quotes Langston Hughes, in his speech to establish a connection between the struggle for civil liberty in United States and the oppression in Vietnam.