However, his words while they aim to bring the pain of the Vietnamese alive before the audience also include a request that a progressive nation should stand with humanity and not lose control of its feelings. He uses metaphorical imagery, powerful diction,and symbolism to create an impact on the audience. In a sense, he dives right into the idea that it is unrealistic for them to find freedom in a region halfway across the world when they couldnt even find it in America. We try to make TeenInk.com the best site it can be, and we take your feedback very seriously. Retrieved from https://graduateway.com/rhetorical-analysis-of-martin-luther-kings-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence/, Rhetorical of Analysis of Martin Luther Kings, I Have a Dream Speech, Break, Break, Break by Alfred Lord Tennyson Analysis, Martin Luther King Jr.: A Civil Rights Activist Who Changed, Rhetorical Analysis Martin Luther King Jr. versus Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. 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. 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. On April 4, 1967 Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a speech named, Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence addressing the Vietnam War. 804-506-0782 He does not want the church leaders to simply listen to his message. The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis. King supports his discussion by establishing authority and appealing to his listeners emotions. You may use it as a guide or sample for 663 Words; Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; This is an obvious and extremely effective argument, especially among a group of Christian church leaders. match. For instance, he does when he depicts the, "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." 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. There were many reasons why so many Americans were against the war. May 4, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. War makes the innocent lose hope and leaves behind horrific memories for generations on both sides. writing your own paper, but remember to At last the paper discusses and assesses how to what an extent Kings dream came true with self-elected sources as backrest for the asses. King spoke for the weak that did not have the voices to speak for themselves; for example, he represented the poor. In other words, the resources were used for the soldiers, yet the poor still needed them just as so. Correct writing styles (it is advised to use correct citations) 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. 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. We Will Write a Custom Case Study SpecificallyFor You For Only $13.90/page! He talks about the innocent people killed in the crossfire, mostly children. Dr. King's purpose is to make the church leaders he is speaking to aware that Showing his knowledge of the history of the war and using it to discredit the United States reason for being there is crucial to Dr. King in developing his position. 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. No one should be restricted from rights and opportunities that others are given for that long. He was in the process of proving that it wasn 't a money issue in America, but an equality issue. 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. Disclaimer: Services provided by StudyCorgi are to be used for research purposes only. 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. Ironic elements are evident in abundance throughout Kings speech which elicit an comical tone and draws on the reality of the war. Therefore, to remain silent would truly be betrayal. All of the valid arguments and vivid imagery Dr. King uses combine to make this a very effective, passionate and memorable speech. Likewise, during this time period, America [put little effort into] rehabilitation of its poor creating an even harder life for them (Source A). It also describes the Jim Crow laws and the busboy cot from 1955. These emotionally charged images would seemingly convince anyone that the cause for this war could not possibly be just. The war lasted from 1955 to 1975.The nation as a whole began to uproar over the war and the major consequences of the war. By repeating the phrase, "for the sake," he creates a rhythmic flow that causes his audience to be more receptive to his idea. His speech emphasizes at transitioning from war to peace and from violence to a nonviolent and peaceful society. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. (King). The idea of nonviolence is much larger than ordinary people see. This special lyrical and parallel structure helped get his main points across and allows a large audience to understand simple but powerful words (Layfield) . He repeatedly stresses upon breaking the silence because in this situation being silent was a sin. King is well aware that an audience that experiences strong emotional response to this speech is more likely to be convinced of his. However, he is about to arm them with many valid reasons why it is crucial for them to join the opposition. 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). 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. America is overlooking its own poor and pouring resources into a war which does not offer any political, economic or social advantage. For example, this quote personifies war as being an enemy. Choose skilled expert on your subject and get original paper with free plagiarism Society's punishments are small wounds compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Many of us have felt the anxiety to speak up against what we know is wrong. Encompassed within this quote is pathos because the harsh accusation leads the reader to think poorly of the government while pitying the poor. He proves that the government has been manipulating the poor when he writes, It was sending. (These links will automatically appear in your email.). By showing his own emotions, King inspires compassion in the. The United States got involved in the Vietnam War because they wanted to stop the spread of communism. His speech grows deeply sarcastic at times. (2016, Nov 14). Through utilising figurative language to juxtapose optimistic progress and demonic destruction, King is able to emphasise how devastating the Vietnam War is. It also reminds people of inequality through images of everyday life in the United States. 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. Furthermore, when these stylistic elements are concluded with his use of parallelism, King effectively establishes America's involvement in the Vietnam War as unjust. There were many reasons why so many Americans were against the war. Lastly, Martin Luther King uses logos in his famous speech. Furthermore, such a vivid picture will linger permanently in the audiences mind, which will make them think about the terrible outcome in the future. King's 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. Just like the people of America, the Vietnamese also have a right to live free on the lands of their fathers. The persuasive techniques utilized by King Jr are aimed at making people think over the outcomes of Vietnam war and if it was not against Americas integrity. (These links will automatically appear in your email.). In the article "Beyond Vietnam", Martin Luther argues that war in Vietnam has far reaching affects that not only rapaciously take away America's resources, but make an immediate impact on African Americans perspective on the civil rights movement. "Beyond Vietnam-A Time to Break Silence" is an article written by Martin Luther King Jr himself. 2 February 2013. 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. A comment like this doesnt leave the reader unmoved. In his argument, King mounts a multi-pronged attack on America's participation in the Vietnam war and also gains people's sympathy for the Vietnamese. When he argues that the wars 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. Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. uses parallelism within his own reflection to evoke emotions in his audience to show that . 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. So, what America is doing to other nations like Vietnam also matters. (2022, May 4). Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. 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). Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently argues against the United States involvement in Vietnam through his use of parallelism, diction, and imagery. 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. Dream like you will live forever, live like you will die today. Additionally, by constructing an optimistic view on the civil rights situation during that time period and immediately refuting it, King is able to establish a strong sense of, Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. King argues that all people are created equal and directly challenged the outdated and abhorrent views that upheld the false flag of racial superiority among White Americans. He is using vivid language to describe the casualties; however, they are also supported by evidence, as he is using precise numbers in this part of the speech. (2022, May 4). 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). 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. 2022. Additionally, when King claims that all this horror is in the name of America, he appeals to his audience's anger, leading them to believe that it is time for them to break silence on the fact that the United States became involved in an unjust war in Vietnam. Then the segregation of African Americans and White Americans started. Here, at ACaseStudy.com, we deliver professionally written papers, and the best grades for you from your professors are guaranteed! Registration number: 419361 Recognizing that citizens in poverty were not able to support their families while away from home at war, Martin Luther King included that war [and being enlisted in battle was] an enemy of poor to demonstrate how even though any man could be drafted, the economically stable left behind support for their family while the impoverished were ineligible of doing so (Source A). All rights reserved. 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. He notes how essential it is to break silence before all hope is lost. 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. StudyCorgi. The irony is explicit in Kings words that the war is just an attempt to cover and hide the more pressing issues before America. 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). In this way, he appeals to the emotions of the audience and challenges the logic behind an unnecessary war. Then Dr. King says that the church should oppose the war simply because it is counter to the ministry of Jesus Christ. 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 doesnt address their oppressor, the U.S. government. Favorite Quote:"Faith is taking another step without seeing the entire staircase.". King uses this metaphor to emphasize the treatment of African Americans in America. Luthers speech was a passionate rhetoric that preached his views about the future. StudyCorgi. If you are the original creator of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal. Apart from the use of ethos, pathos and logos in his speech, he builds a rock solid argument by involving religious figures and facts from history and philosophy. Perhaps the most convincing part of the speech is the emotional appeal. The rhythm and frequent repetition are used to drive home his key points, stressing the importances of his goal. Please enter the email address that you use to login to TeenInk.com, and we'll email you instructions to reset your password. May 4, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. 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. For example, King says, We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God given rights (2). He does this when he writes, "It was a step that rocked the richest, most powerful nation to its foundations" (King 96-97). He specifically mentions a poverty program that was looking promising before the United States became involved in Vietnam. 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). The war was only going to consume lives and resources. Rodriguez 1 Melanie Rodriguez Ms. Jimenez Composition II 20 October, 2017 A Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Beyond Vietnam" "Never be afraid to do what's right. StudyCorgi. On April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church in New York, MLK delivered "Beyond Vietnam" , which created a different perspective on the Vietnam war, in which is a negative thing. 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. Though disappointed, King still loves the church. down the pipe, "I watched this program broken and eviscerated" through the "buildup in Vietnam,". 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. King uses personal anecdotes, elaborate word choice, and reliable facts to persuade his audience of the injustice of the war. Nothing could be lower than being placed parallel to the senseless violence of Nazi Germany. It also uses a bit of strong imagery. Here, Martin Luther King Jr is getting the audience emotionally and completely invested by showing the effect of America in Vietnam on their lives. (21). Thomas 1 Javon Thomas Mrs. Yelton English 1301 - Period 4 14 September 2018 Beyond Vietnam Rhetorical Analysis Essay In Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, Beyond Vietnam-A Time to Break Silence, King discusses his opinion on America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Dr. King genuinely believes that the war is in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ and therefore the church must speak out in a united voice against it. 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/. He efficiently uses the anecdote to tell how he has spoken with young men, telling them how violence will not solve their problems. Beyond Vietnam: A Rhetorical Analysis . He believed that the Vietnam War diverted money and attention from domestic programs created to aid the black poor and would benefit only the banks who fund wars and the industries that supply the war. So far we may have killed a million of them, mostly children (King). He does it to engage peoples imagination and to awaken their consciences. Since the founding of the Americas in the late 1400s, slavery was a problem; until the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. May 4, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. The speech deemed racial segregation to be an inhumane practice that subdivides society into groups that essentially alienate them from the true sense of humanity; which is brotherhood. They wander into the towns and see thousands of the children, homeless, without clothes, running in packs on the streets like animals (20). He wants them to go back to their churches and spread the message. 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118, USA. At the heart of their concerns, this query has often loomed large and loud: Why are you speaking about the war, Dr. King? Why are you joining the voices of dissent?(King). Rhetorical Analysis of MLK's Speech "Beyond Vietnam" 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. Would you like to get a custom case study? His main purpose was to try to persuade the audience to . Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us. In multiple paragraphs of his speech, King effectively appeals to emotion by using personal anecdotes that involve him speaking to people of poverty directly. He offers many practical reasons for the opposition, as well as spiritual and moral reasons. His use of diction and imagery arouses anger while increasing his credibility since he criticizes the unjust war he describes. He then goes on to reveal some of his more personal feelings. Because of his crowd of mix races King made sure to make his speech imploring to all no matter what the race that they may be. 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. For these practical and logical reasons, the church should join the opposition. He also makes an emotional plea by vividly describing the conditions in Vietnam. Another rhetorical device is the common ground he establishes in his last sentence where he writes, "This is the story of Why We Can't Wait" (King 98-99). 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. 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. 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.". In short, this makes the audience more inclined to listen to the rest of Martin Luther king Jr's speech, as well as setting the bottom line that the Vietnam War creates devastating problems for everyone. https://nolongerinvisiblemen.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/sparknotes-for-martin-luther-king-jr-s-a-time-to-break-silence/, https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkatimetobreaksilence.htm, Microsoft Corporation SWOT Analysis (2016), Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes were watching God: Analysis. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. The war in Vietnam to do this day has gone down as one of the influential and controversial wars in United States history. This makes the irony explicit and that Vietnam being a smaller and weaker nation was being made to face injustice which it never deserved or desired. Dr. King paints a vivid, heart-wrenching picture of the devastation in Vietnam. Through this speech, and his ideals of determination, many rhetorical devices are put to use to drive forth these points. King proved this partly with the quote, America would never invest the necessary funds in the rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued (King, Beyond, 9). 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. 4 May. He spoke at Riverside Church in New York City, a venue that had a history of hosting progressive speakers and thinkers. In addition, his use of parallelism allows him to appeal to his audiences pity for the oppressed in order for him to express his call to action, a call for activism that goes beyond Vietnam. Later in his speech, King writes again using an advanced vocabulary to reinforce his academic background with, America would never be free or saved from itself until the descendants of its slaves were loosed completely from the shackles they still wear. By using the word shackles, the reader can easily create a vivid image in their mind of how restricted the poor must feel, and whether it be physically or mentally, they can understand how much the restrained are longing for a sense of freedom. us: [emailprotected]. This use of repetitive language conveys urgency and shows that he deeply believes the churches may influence the government if they speak against the war. King is effectively able to convey his point about his topic by using rhetorical devices such as logos, ethos, pathos. He uses the word 'We', connecting with the audience and ensuring them that together they will bring change to social conditions and attitudes. Luther starts off by explaining that Vietnam heavily takes away valuable money of the US. A Time to do What is Right. This paper was written and submitted to our database by a student to assist your with your own studies. The most famous speeches in the United States history all have utilized rhetoric devices and strategies. His choice of words in the speech is meant to have a direct effect on the audience's psychology. King Jr knew that war creates confusion and that his audiences mind was boggled with questions. King builds an effective argument by using imagery, noting the irony associated with the war, and pointing out the contrast between America before the war and America then. Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently argues against the United States involvement in Vietnam through his use of parallelism, diction, and imagery. In his speech addressed to the laymen and clergy at Riverside Church he used pathos, logos, imagery, and an argument shift to list the reasons why America should withdraw their troops, and to create sympathy within his audience. His masterful delivery of these metaphors and the frequent repetition makes the speech much like a poem or a part of a song. What Is the Macro Environment in Business Analysis? submit it as your own as it will be considered plagiarism. 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. Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence Martin Luther King Jr. in his speech, "Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence, discusses the Vietnam war. 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.