Figurative Language in King's "I Have a Dream" Speech When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent
public wrote the magnificent words of the
1. sear - become superficially burned (also figurative)
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro
slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.
2. wither - lose freshness, vigor, or vitality
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro
slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.
3. injustice - the practice of being unfair
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro
slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.
4. manacle - shackle that can be locked around the wrist
One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by
the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.
5. segregation - the act of keeping apart
One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the
manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.
6. poverty - the state of having little or no money and possessions
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst
of a vast ocean of material prosperity.
7. vast - unusually great in size or amount or extent or scope
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst
of a vast ocean of material prosperity.
8. prosperity - the condition of having good fortune
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst
of a vast ocean of material prosperity.
9. architect - someone who creates plans to be used in making something
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory
note to which every American was to fall heir.
10. republic - a form of government whose head of state is not a monarch
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory
note to which every American was to fall heir.
11. promissory - relating to a verbal commitment by one person to another
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing
a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.
12. default - fail to pay up
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as
her citizens of color are concerned.
13. insufficient - of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a
bad check, a check which has come back marked " insufficient funds."
14. funds - assets in the form of money
Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a
bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
15. justice - the quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.
16. bankrupt - financially ruined
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.
17. opportunity - a possibility from a favorable combination of circumstances
We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults
of opportunity of this nation.
18. desolate - providing no shelter or sustenance
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with
sunlit path of racial justice. the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed
into an oasis of freedom and justice.
19. valley - a long depression in the surface of the land
28. hew - make or shape as with an axe
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the
sunlit path of racial justice. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of
hope.
20. discontent - a longing for something better than the present situation
29. discord - lack of agreement or harmony
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until
there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation
into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
21. invigorating - imparting strength and vitality
30. symphony - a long and complex sonata for an orchestra
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until
there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation
into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
22. autumn - the season when the leaves fall from the trees
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until
there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
23. equality - a state of being essentially equivalent
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until
there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
24. righteousness - the quality of adhering to moral principles
No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down
like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
25. stream - a natural body of water flowing on or under the earth
No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down
like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
26. oppression - the act of subjugating by cruelty
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with
the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed
into an oasis of freedom and justice.
27. oasis - a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary