Ms. Dickson’s Class: Resources on a Shoestring Budget.

“I Have a Dream” Speech

Analyzing Analogies Activity
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ms. Dickson’s Class
Teaching English on a Shoestring Budget
http://msdicksonsclass.com/

Overview:
Students will analyze the analogies used in the “I Have a Dream” speech. They will explain the phrase in
their own words (in simple terms) and examine what the effect of the analogy. Includes a version with
just explaining the analogies, a version with extra credit offered to add appropriate illustrations AND a
version with appropriate illustrations as a required element.

Teacher Notes:
Quick print-and-go ready activity for students to examine the text and consider the effect of the
analogies.

Answers will vary. No answer key provided.

Contents:
“I Have a Dream” Analyzing Analogies Activity
“I Have a Dream” Analyzing Analogies Activity, with extra credit for adding appropriate illustration
“I Have a Dream” Analyzing Analogies Activity, with requirement to add appropriate illustration

© 2023 Clair Dickson http://msdicksonsclass.com/ 1

 Ms. Dickson’s Class: Resources on a Shoestring Budget.

“I Have a Dream” Speech

Analyzing Analogies
Using a dictionary, thesaurus, and/or an idiom/ phrase dictionary, examine each of the following
analogies that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used in his speech.

For each analogy, answer:

a. In simple terms, what is Martin Luther King trying to say?

b. What is the effect of the word choice in the analogy? (Consider what imagery it brings to
mind or what emotional connotation the chosen words have.)

1. The manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination

2. A lonely island of poverty in the midst of the vast ocean of material prosperity

3. An exile in his own land

4. We’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check

5. Refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt

6. Tranquilizing drug of gradualism

7. Quick sands of racial justice to the solid rock of brotherhood

8. Whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation

9. Drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred

10. Battered by the storms of persecution

11. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair

12. A dream deeply rooted in the American Dream

13. Table of brotherhood

14. Transform the jangling discords of our nation into beautiful symphony of brotherhood

15. Let freedom ring

© 2023 Clair Dickson http://msdicksonsclass.com/ 2

 Ms. Dickson’s Class: Resources on a Shoestring Budget.

“I Have a Dream” Speech

Analyzing Analogies
Using a dictionary, thesaurus, and/or an idiom/ phrase dictionary, examine each of the following
analogies that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used in his speech.

For each analogy, answer:

a. In simple terms, what is Martin Luther King trying to say?

b. What is the effect of the word choice in the analogy? (Consider what imagery it brings to
mind or what emotional connotation the chosen words have.)

1. The manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination

2. A lonely island of poverty in the midst of the vast ocean of material prosperity

3. An exile in his own land

4. We’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check

5. Refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt

6. Tranquilizing drug of gradualism

7. Quick sands of racial justice to the solid rock of brotherhood

8. Whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation

9. Drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred

10. Battered by the storms of persecution

11. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair

12. A dream deeply rooted in the American Dream

13. Table of brotherhood

14. Transform the jangling discords of our nation into beautiful symphony of brotherhood

15. Let freedom ring

Extra Credit: Draw an appropriate illustration for each analogy.

© 2023 Clair Dickson http://msdicksonsclass.com/ 3

 Ms. Dickson’s Class: Resources on a Shoestring Budget.

“I Have a Dream” Speech

Analyzing Analogies
Using a dictionary, thesaurus, and/or an idiom/ phrase dictionary, examine each of the following
analogies that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used in his speech.

For each analogy, answer:

a. In simple terms, what is Martin Luther King trying to say?

b. What is the effect of the word choice in the analogy? (Consider what imagery it brings to
mind or what emotional connotation the chosen words have.)

c. Draw an appropriate illustration for each analogy

1. The manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination

2. A lonely island of poverty in the midst of the vast ocean of material prosperity

3. An exile in his own land

4. We’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check

5. Refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt

6. Tranquilizing drug of gradualism

7. Quick sands of racial justice to the solid rock of brotherhood

8. Whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation

9. Drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred

10. Battered by the storms of persecution

11. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair

12. A dream deeply rooted in the American Dream

13. Table of brotherhood

14. Transform the jangling discords of our nation into beautiful symphony of brotherhood

15. Let freedom ring

© 2023 Clair Dickson http://msdicksonsclass.com/ 4

 Ms. Dickson’s Class: Resources on a Shoestring Budget.

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