He uses the word 'We', connecting with the audience and ensuring them that together they will bring change to social conditions and attitudes. 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. Through utilising figurative language to juxtapose optimistic progress and demonic destruction, King is able to emphasise how devastating the Vietnam War is. Titled as the I Have a Dream Speech, he read this speech to the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Therefore, to remain silent would truly be betrayal. Rhetorical Analysis Of Beyond Vietnam A Time To Break Silence analytical essay Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence", he used a variety of techniques to reinforce the argument and persuasiveness of the American involvement in the Vietnam War. Copyright 2023 service.graduateway.com. 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. King Jr delivered his "Beyond Vietnam -- A Time to Break Silence" in 1967 in NewYork City. This is an attempt to connect with the audiences emotions and prove that the war was imposed on them and even if politicians call it patriotic, society and people would never love war. King argues that all people are created equal and directly challenged the outdated and abhorrent views that upheld the false flag of racial superiority among White Americans. 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. 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. 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. 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. Need a custom essay sample written specially to meet your Acting almost as a climax, King lyrically urges his audience to voice their opinions and wage a war against this unjustified war in Vietnam. 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. Registered address: Louki Akrita, 23 Bellapais Court, Flat/Office 46 1100, Nicosia, Cyprus Also, if you have a comment about a particular piece of work on this website, please go to the page where that work is displayed and post a comment on it. Would you like to get a custom case study? King spoke for the weak that did not have the voices to speak for themselves; for example, he represented the poor. 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. new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us. Apart from being an advocate of Mahatma Gandhi's idea of nonviolence, Martin Luther King Jr was a great leader and rhetor of all times. 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. His use of diction and imagery arouses anger while increasing his credibility since he criticizes the unjust war he describes. He then paints a picture of the suffering endured by Vietnam and tells how the United States has a long history of doing the wrong thing to this tiny country. 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. King said, the war was doing far more than devastating the hopes of the poor at homeWe 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. By repeating the phrase, "for the sake," he creates a rhythmic flow that causes his audience to be more receptive to his idea. Dr. King's purpose is to make the church leaders he is speaking to aware that 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. Martin Luther King, Jr indicates that he is seen as a figure of authority by the civil rights movement. Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. uses parallelism within his own reflection to evoke emotions in his audience to show that . 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. All they wanted was to save the soul of America (King, Beyond, 42). Since an autopsy is only done on dead creatures, King is saying that eventually, the soul of America might die. The imagery paints a dark picture in the audiences mind. 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. 2 February 2013. King, Martin Luther Jr. Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence. Church Meeting, 1967, Riverside Church, New York City. Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; For example, in paragraph 7, King discusses the harsh reality of the war. This lecture became an explosive example of colorful language and visual examples that expanded the idea of rhetoric. What Is the Macro Environment in Business Analysis? 804-506-0782 King uses this metaphor to emphasize the treatment of African Americans in America. report, Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther Kings Beyond Vietnam: a Time to Break Silence. "The Fine Art of Baloney Detection" Essay by Carl Sagan. He expresses that the first step toward equality as the earth moving and nations running with fear. 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. The war with Vietnam was just as unjust as unnecessary. King draws sympathy for his cause from the reader who sees the unjustness of the situation he and his followers are dealing with. 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. 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. The American intervention came at a time when the Vietnamese were expecting freedom and peaceful life and it came in a manner that was even devastating compared to the French occupation. As he notes towards the end of his speech, "If we will make the right choice, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our world into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood ". Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. uses parallelism within his own reflection to evoke emotions in his audience to show that . All of Dr. Kings arguments are very effective. The fact that young black men are being sent [across the world] to fight for the liberties in Southeast Asia, which they [have] not found in Georgia and East Harlem questions the validity of Americas founding principles of the unalienable rights of every individual; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Here, at ACaseStudy.com, we deliver professionally written papers, and the best grades for you from your professors are guaranteed! Also, if you have a comment about a particular piece of work on this website, please go to the page where that work is displayed and post a comment on it. Logos appeals to reasoning and argumentation by applying statistics, factual evidence, and data. Dr. King further discredits the United States intentions in Vietnam by comparing us to Germany in World War II saying, What do they think as we test out our latest weapons on them, just as the Germans tested out new medicine and new tortures in the concentration camps of Europe? This is an obvious and extremely effective argument, especially among a group of Christian church leaders. America is overlooking its own poor and pouring resources into a war which does not offer any political, economic or social advantage. Later, he mentions, I am a preacher by calling, I suppose it is not surprising that I have seven major reasons for bringing Vietnam into the field of my moral vision. (King). Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently argues against the United States involvement in Vietnam through his use of parallelism, diction, and imagery. Pharapreising and interpretation due to major educational standards released by a particular educational institution as well as tailored to your educational institution if different; (2022) 'The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis'. King Jr knew that war creates confusion and that his audiences mind was boggled with questions. https://studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. 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). It also reminds people of inequality through images of everyday life in the United States. 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. The most famous speeches in the United States history all have utilized rhetoric devices and strategies. A Time to do What is Right. Throughout the first paragraph of Kings speech, he used emotional diction with words such as struggle, poverty, and poor to prove that the war in Vietnam was bringing down the Americans and their families fighting overseas. 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. They all had the same goal, but took a different approach with their speeches, and how they would rally support to improve racial equality. Comparing the Justice System during the 1960s to a corrupt bank allows the audience to connect to what Dr. King is saying. Dr. King's purpose is . It is just a continuation of the regimes that have been trying to oppress the Vietnamese. Luthers speech was a passionate rhetoric that preached his views about the future. King uses personal anecdotes, elaborate word choice, and reliable facts to persuade his audience of the injustice of the war. StudyCorgi, 4 May 2022, studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. In this way, while he successfully draws a parallel between the struggles of Vietnamese people and that of the Americans, he also lays the foundation for the next stages of his argument. 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 mentions that the war has led to the increase of violence in . Rhetorical Analysis Of Mlk's Beyond Vietnam. He specifically mentions a poverty program that was looking promising before the United States became involved in Vietnam. Along with, and the almost facile connection between the war in Vietnam, First, Martin Luther King Jr. uses emotional appeals to persuade his audience that the Vietnam War is unjust because it is unfairly killing the poor and its destroying the country. He also focuses on the maltreatment of humanity, and how the Vietnam War is a start to the violence that occurs in America. In the 1967 speech, Beyond Vietnam, the author, activist Martin Luther King jr, states reasons why America needs to end their involvement in the Vietnam War. Read More Use Of Nonviolence In Cesar Chavez's Speech 409 Words | 2 Pages Martin Luther King Jr. was extremely passionate about nonviolence. Get original paper in 3 hours and nail the task. Many people believed that America had no reason to interfere, Dr. King being one of those people. Graduateway.com is owned and operated by Radioplus Experts Ltd The speech was given to a large, mixed audience of primarily civil rights activists. This quote causes the audience to realize the contradiction in the Vietnam war policy, making them less likely to accept. All rights reserved. "The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis." Acasestudy.com 2007-2019 All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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. He proves that the government has been manipulating the poor when he writes, It was sending. He is disappointed in te church and his disappointment is worse because he feels so strongly for the church, as is evident through his tears. Despite criticism from speaking out about things other than civil rights, King uses syntax, rhetorical strategies, and appeals to . You are free to use it to write your own assignment, however you must reference it properly. War makes the innocent lose hope and leaves behind horrific memories for generations on both sides. [emailprotected] (These links will automatically appear in your email.). The image of death, as powerful as it is, becomes amplified when Martin Luther King associates the injustices of segregation with the Vietnam war. 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 views on America's involvement in the Vietnam War. A few lines after, King writes about the injustice the African-American community has faced, by stating, 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. To further show to the audience how his community has been suffering from the war, he uses a comparison statement between the facts to illustrate how freedom has been hard to attain. He notes, 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 so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. To help his audience see that Vietnam is only madness, a wastage of resources and an ignorance of more pressing concerns, King once again affirms that war was never a means of peace. Favorite Quote:What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Here, Martin Luther King Jr is getting the audience emotionally and completely invested by showing the effect of America in Vietnam on their lives. While his I Have a Dream speech is considered his best one, his other speeches too offer a glimpse of his powerful rhetoric and his art of persuasion. Overall, the effective use of various rhetorical strategies is what makes the speech so valuable. 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. Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently argues against the United States involvement in Vietnam through his use of parallelism, diction, and imagery. He wants them to go back to their churches and spread the message. 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. These emotionally charged images would seemingly convince anyone that the cause for this war could not possibly be just. Thank you for sharing this page with a friend! To make his claims stand out and have a deeper impact, he uses instances from Vietnamese history to show the level of injustice faced by its people how war has destabilized them. May 4, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. 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). He does it to engage peoples imagination and to awaken their consciences. Ethos, the appeal to the legitimacy and authority of the speaker, is used throughout the speech. We try to make TeenInk.com the best site it can be, and we take your feedback very seriously. 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). 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. * 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. Apart from highlighting the wicked nature of the war, King Jr 's speech also sets the urgency for protest. In a similar light, King addressed the speech I have a dream to a peaceful mass gathering in Washington asking for change. The image of death, as powerful as it is, becomes amplified when Martin Luther King associates the injustices of segregation with the Vietnam war. 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. The idea of nonviolence is much larger than ordinary people see. 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. Lastly, Martin Luther King uses logos in his famous speech. Dont 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. 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. Choose skilled expert on your subject and get original paper with free plagiarism Rhetorical Devices In Beyond Vietnam Speech 736 Words3 Pages All they wanted was "to save the soul of America" (King, Beyond, 42). Through this speech, and his ideals of determination, many rhetorical devices are put to use to drive forth these points. 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. During this time period there was a lot of controversy surrounding the war. cite it correctly. 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. 4 May. 6 Effective Content Marketing Strategies You May Have Overlooked, Market Analysis Definition (With Explanation and Examples). We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. 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). Likewise, during this time period, America [put little effort into] rehabilitation of its poor creating an even harder life for them (Source A). He uses metaphorical imagery, powerful diction,and symbolism to create an impact on the audience. 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. Registration number: 419361 Moreover, Martin Luther King Jr meticulously chooses specific words that carry with them a negative connotation that helps associate the Vietnamese war with injustice. Perhaps the most convincing part of the speech is the emotional appeal. 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. 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. However, he is about to arm them with many valid reasons why it is crucial for them to join the opposition. His choice of words in the speech is meant to have a direct effect on the audience's psychology. Thank you! For example, this quote personifies war as being an enemy. Favorite Quote:Make as many as mistakes as you want, just don't make the same mistake. The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis. On April 4, 1967, Martin Luther King delivered his first major public statement against the Vietnam War, entitled "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence." Addressing a crowd of 3,000 at Riverside Church in New York City, King condemned the war as anti-democratic, impractical, and unjust. 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. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. This demonstrates to the audience that he realizes it is going to be difficult for them to speak out in opposition of the government. 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. In his essay, Dr. King uses the metaphor America has given the Negro people a bad check, which came back marked insufficient funds (46).