I Have a Dream
Summary & Analysis of I
Have a Dream
“I Have a Dream” is a speech delivered by
Martin Luther King, Jr. He has delivered this speech on 28 Aug. 1963. This was
delved by him at March on Washington near Lincoln Memorial. The main motive of
the speech was jobs and Freedom for all the citizens of the USA. He was himself
the black Negro and facing the difference on the basis of colour in his own
country. This speech is considered till this date as one of the great speech.
This defines the movement of the American Civil Rights Movement. The title of
the Speech is apt as it shows the dreams of all Black Negro citizens of USA.
These black Negros were facing the differences of inequality from centuries.
They have been fighting for their rights and freedom. The
Constitution of the country has declared equality for all citizens without any
difference. But in practical the application of the conations has not worked.
The blacks have been humiliated and tortured for their black color. The black
Negros were hatred tortured and treated as animals in practical
life. They were snatched from the basic rights. They spend the
miserable life among the rich whites.
This is a speech delved by Martin Luther King Jr. This is
delivered by him near Lincoln Memorial in Washington Martin. In
this Luther tries to integrate and unify the common people of USA. He
gives stress on nonviolence. He stressed for unity between the blacks and
white. He was against the injustice faced by blacks by some white
people. He stresses in his speech to the black should not to indulge
in the non violence in any way. They should revolt but in peaceful
manner. He says that they have not hatred against all white people some of them
are their supporters. He considers the white citizens as their brothers and
fellow citizens. He says that both the White and Black should work together for
the development and peace of the country. He says that the blacks should
be treated equally with white counterparts. There should not be any difference
on the basis of colour. He stress for a well integrated and unified
America.
Martin Luther starts his speech with this "Five score
years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today signed the
Emancipation Proclamation." Here he refers to the Abram Lincoln in these
words. In second stanza he speaks like this "But 100 years later, the
Negro still is not free." . He ends his speech with these optimistic
words " ... we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's
children, black men and white men, ... will be able to join hands and sing in
the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last. Free at last. Thank God
almighty. We are free at last. This shows that he has full faith upon God and
he assures his fellow citizens that they will win one day.
Martin repeats the words "I
have a dream" so many times and ends his speech with the faith that in
future the blacks will be treated equally. He had given the reference of
great personalities and holy books. He had also given the references from the
US Constitution and Declaration of Independence. In this it had been mentioned
that that on the land of America all men will be treated equally. In his speech
Martin says that this promise of freedom and equality has not been
achieved for Black Americans.
The theme of
this speech was freedom, equality, and justice for all without any difference
on the basis of cast, colour or creed.
Glossary
Score: /skɔː/
a group or set of twenty or about twenty
Negro:
Black African People.
Emancipation
Proclamation: It was an order issued by
the US President Abraham Lincoln for equality of all citizens.
Momentous:
/mə(ʊ)ˈmɛntəs/ of great importance or significance
Decree:
/dɪˈkriː/ an official order that has the force of law
Manacles
/ˈmanək(ə)l/ two metal rings joined by a chain
Promissory
note: A promissory note is
a legal and a financial instrument
Unalienable:
/ʌnˈeɪlɪənəb(ə)l/ impossible to take away or give up
Hallowed:
/ˈhaləʊd/ greatly revered and honoured
Ghettos:
/ˈɡɛtəʊ/ a part of a city in which members of a minority group live
Wallow: /ˈwɒləʊ/ roll about or
lie in mud or wate
Interposition:
/ɪntəpəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/ the action of interposing someone or something
Prodigious
: /prəˈdɪdʒəs/ remarkably or impressively great
Textual Questions of “I Have a Dream”
O.
1. Why “I Have a Dream” been called the defining moment of the American Civil
Rights Movement?
Ans. The Speech of Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” has been
called the defining moment of the American Civil Right Movement. The Civil
Rights Movements motive was struggle for the social and political rights of the
Blacks. The Movement continues struggle get the equal rights for the Blacks.
"I
Have a Dream" is a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. for the end of
difference on the basis of color. It is considered one of the most important
speeches in USA. It is about the American Civil Rights Movement. It was
speech by delivered by Martin Luther on 28th of 1963. The venue of
the speech was steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. This
speech awakened the souls of all Americans without any difference. This
was one of the largest gatherings in the history attended by at
least 250,000 men.
The Speech “I Have a Dream” of Martin Luther King
Jr. is the defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Blacks in America were assured to be free by the Abraham Lincoln in his
‘Emancipation Proclamation’. Even after the passage of one hundred
years this promise had not been applied on the ground. They were victims of
racial discrimination till date.
Martin repeats the words "I have a dream" so many times
and ends his speech with the faith that in future the blacks will be
treated equally. He had given the reference of great personalities and holy
books. He had also given the references from the US Constitution and
Declaration of Independence. In this it had been mentioned that that on the
land of America all men will be treated equally. In his speech Martin says that
this promise of freedom and equality has not been achieved for Black
Americans.
Through this speech, he demands to restore the injustice of the
Blacks on the land of America. They should be treated White citizens of
America. He would like to achieve this justice through non-violence not through
violence. For this reason his speech of Martin Luther has been rated as the
considered as the moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Q. 2. What are the various kinds of
injustices that were meted out to the African Americans in America?
Ans. The various kinds of injustices that were meted
out to the African Americans in America are:
- 1. They
were victims of police cruelty.
- 2. They
were denied the good jobs.
- 3. They
were denied to stay on the motels and hotels of the cities.
- 4. They
were not paid equally for their work.
- 5. They
were forced to live in Ghettos.
- 6. They
were not allowed to live in good houses.
- 7. They
were not allowed to vote or to participate in politics.
- 8. The
black children were exposed of their selfhood and deprived of their
dignity.
- 9. Their
grievances were not taken to heed.
- 10 They were not given the same rights that of whites of
the America.
- 11 They were not allowed to
go to a good doctor or health clinic for the treatment.
- 12 They were not allowed
to take education in good schools with whites.
Q3. Despite the injustice suffered by
African Americans, King paints a picture of an integrated and unified American
for the audience Comment.
Ans: There
is no doubt in this the despite the injustice which is faced by African
Americans Martin Luther who was himself suffering did not divide the people. He
paints a picture of an integrated and unified America in real life as well as
for the audience at the time of his speech. In the USA even though one hundred
years before the speech of King, Abhram Lincoln blacks will be treated blacks
equal to whites in Proclamation. But in real life African Americans
were still victims of racial discrimination.
In
his speech on 28th August of 1963, near Lincoln Memorial in
Washington Martin, Luther tries to integrate and unify the common people of USA.
He gives stress on nonviolence even though the African Americans were facing
injustice. He stresses in his speech to the black African Americans not to
indulge in the non violence but they should revolt peacefully. He says that
they have not hatred against the white citizens of the country. He considers
the white citizens as their brothers and fellow citizens. He says in his speech
that both the White and Black citizens of the country should work together for
the progress of the country. He says that all the citizens should be treated
equally without any difference on the basis of color. He stress for a well
integrated and unified America.
Q4. Mention the list of dreams that king
spells out in his speech. Which one do you appreciate the most and why?
Ans. There were so many dreams mentioned by the kind in his
speech. The important dreams of the king which spell out his speech are quoted
as:
1. “I have a dream that one day on
the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners
will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
2. “I have a dream that one day even
the state …. will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.”
3. “I have a dream that my four
little children will one day live in nation where they will be not judged by
the color…..”
4. “I have a dream that one day ……
black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little boys white
girls as sisters and brothers.”
5. “I have a dream that one day every
valley shall be exalted….. and all flesh shall see it
together.
I appreciate the most “… black boys and black girls will be
able to join hands…”. This is one of the best according to my opinions. The
children are innocent and they did not know the difference. They should not be
taught this heinous crime of difference. They should be allowed to join hand to
play with each other.
Q5. King refers to his dream as one that is deeply rooted in the
American Dream. What does he mean?
Ans. Martin Luther refers to his dream as one that is deeply rooted in
the American Dream that is why the has mentioned so many times in his speech “I
have a dream” He refers to the American dream again and again in his inspiring
speech. In his speech he says his dream is the pursuit for happiness and
freedom of all the citizens of his country without any difference on the basis
of colour.
He
assures all the audience in his speech that they must feel confident that the
bad condition of some citizens will definitely change. They should happy and
not to lose the hope for betterment. He stresses that he has a dream and this
dream is rotted the American dream. He believes that all men are created equal
and created by same God. He has firm faith that one day his nation will treat
all the citizens equally.
Exercise
2
Identify
whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Helen undergoes a period of emotional agitation
due to her physical impairments. (T)
2. In her
childhood, Helen does not want to communicate with others. (False)
3. The parents are indifferent to the child. (F)
4. The
journey to the oculist is a difficult one for the child. (F)
5. The absence of eyes in the doll is not noted by
the child. (F)
6. Miss
Sullivan comes to the Keller home when Helen is ten years old. (F)
7. The
narrator uses the word 'light for the eventful day of Miss Sullivan arrival.
(T)
8. The first
word that her teacher teaches Helen is water. (T)
9. Miss
Sullivan points to Helen's heart in response to the question 'what is love'?
(T)
10. Helen learns to recognise words because Miss
Sullivan speaks to her loudly. (F)
Exercise
3
Here
are the names of some more disabilities that people struggle with daily. Match
them their meanings.
1. Dyslexia: (a) attention deficit hyperactive
disorders
2. Autism:(b) a genetic disorder associated with
physical growth delays, intellectual disability and characteristic facial
features
3: Down's syndrome: (c) difficulty in learning to
read or interpret words, letters and other symbols
4. ADHD(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
(d)colour blindness or the inability to see colour or colour differences.
5.Achromatopsia(e) a developmental disorder of
variable severity characterised by difficulty in social interaction and
communication
Answers:
1-C, 2-E, 3-B, 4-A, 5-D
Exercise
4
Fill
in the blanks with the help of clues given, to find words related to different
styles of walking.
1. To walk with difficulty. H-B-I-(Hobble)
2. To walk on the tips of one's toes.-I-T-E (Tiptoe)
3. To move
without a fixed purpose or destination. W-N-E-(Wander)
4. To walk with long steps. S-R-D- (Stride)
5.To walk
slowly and with effort because one is tired. T-U-G- (Trudge)
6.To walk very slowly and noisily without lifting
one's feet off the ground. S-U-F-E (Scuffle),
7. To go quietly or secretly in order to avoid being
seen or heard. –N-A- (Sneak),
8. To walk slowly or quietly because you are
involved in a criminal activity or you looking for something. P-O-L (Prowl)
9. To move
quickly and suddenly, rush. D-S-(Dash)
10. To make a
sudden movement towards somebody or something. –U-G- (Lunge)
Exercise
5
Here
are some more expression which begin with the word 'out' use them in
appropriate places in the sentences given below:
Out of the blue, out of the question,
out at the elbows, out of this world, out of the bounds, out and about, out
with it, out and out.
1. What was so terrible that he couldn't come... in
his usual candid manner? (out at the elbows),
2. The village is ... to the soldiers in the camps. (of bounds)
3. ...a deer came in front of my car. (Out of the
blue) 4. Scuba diving without an oxygen
tank is ... (of the question) 5. What a restaurant the food was ... (out of
this world), 6. It's good to see old Mr shah ... about again. (out and out) 7.
The news report was ... fake, (out of this world ) 8. I cannot help you because
I am ... these days. (out with it)
Exercise
6
In the box is a list of words you must have come
across during the pandemic. Match words with their meanings. Droplet
transmission, Quarantine, Epidemic,
Zoonotic disease, Outbreak, Herd immunity, Asymptomatic
1. A disease caused by an infectious agent that can
pass between humans are other animals (Zoonotic disease)
2. The rapid spread of a disease to large number of
people within a short period of time (Outbreak)
3. The same as a pandemic but occurring over a more
limited geographical area (Epidemic)
4. The spread of an infectious disease within a
group of who have had no known contact with an infected person or exposed to
the disease (Community Spread)
5. A person who does not show any of a disease
despite being infected (Asymptomatic)
6. When bacteria or viruses travel within small
droplets of liquid from the respiratory tract (Droplet transmission)
7. The separation of people, animals or goods to
prevent the possible spread of infectious diseases (Quarantine)
16. When enough people in a population are immune to
a disease either through recovery or vaccination (Herd immunity)
Grammar
Note:
Please before this Exercise watch live classes of ‘Clause’ on you tube channel
‘Dear
Students (Salim Sir)’
Exercise
7
Change
the narration of the given sentences from direct to indirect speech.
1. Mira said, 'I am going home.' Mira said that she was going home.
2. Aisha said, 'I have been to London.' Aisha said that she had been to London.
3. Seerat said, 'My parents are going to
Jammu.' Seerat said that her parents are
going to Jammu.4. She told me,'I can't swim.'
She told me that she couldn't swim.
5. He said, 'I went on a picnic yesterday.' He said that he had gone on a picnic the
previous day.
6. The mother said to the children, 'How brilliant
you are!' The mother told the children that
how brilliant they were.
7. The teacher said, 'the earth moves around the
sun.' The Teacher said that the earth revolves around the Sun.
8. I said to her, 'Honesty is the best policy.' I told her that honesty is the best Policy.
9. Pinkly
said, 'I didn't have any breakfast this morning.' Pinky told that she didn't' had any breakfast
that morning.
10. Kamal said,' 'I will paint a picture
tomorrow.' Kamal said that he would
paint a picture the following day.
Exercise
8
Change
the narration of the given sentences from indirect to direct speech.
1. Mrs Shah said that she had lost her bag. Mrs Shah
said, 'I have lost my bag'.
2. The man
said that she was a college friend of my father's. The man said' 'She is your
father's college friends'.
3. Somu told the shopkeeper that he wanted to return
the clock as it was defective. Somu said to the shopkeeper, 'I want to return
this click, it has a defect'.
4. The judge commanded them to call the accused into
the courtroom. The Judge said to them, 'Call the accused into the courtroom'.
5. Salman said that he and his sister were going to
the circus. Salman said, 'I am going to circus with sister'.
6. Monty said that he hoped pinkly was all right.
Monty said, 'I trust God that Pinky will be alright'.
7. The coach said that the players had to come for
practice every morning. The Coach said, 'listen players, you have to come for
practice every morning'.
8. She said she was seeing her brother the following
day. She said, 'I am going to see my brother tomorrow'.
9. She asked me how they would get here. She said, 'How will we get there'.
