Questions on the speech 'I have a dream'

Why does King chose the word DREAM?

I think there are various reasons why Martin Luther King chose to use this word and repeat it as a leitmotiv. Firstly, as the opening lines clearly show, it is a direct reference to the American Dream itself in which most Americans believe: a dream where people have access to a high standard of living and a decent way of life. Secondly, the idyllic situation he describes for the Blacks in America stands in contrast with the reality they have known for centuries and even the reality of the 1960's. Compared with this ideal, their existence is but a nightmare. Last but not least, to dream is one of the last thing left to a man when he is desperate. What does he dream of? He dreams of a time and place where his fellowmen will no longer be segregated, prejudiced against or treated as inferiors. He wishes the blacks and the whites were really equal, he wishes they shared the same rights in America.

Why does he quote the 'Declaration of Independence'?

I think Martin Luther King quotes the 'Declaration of Independence' because this important turning point in the history of the American nation means a lot to all its citizens. All the Americans know this text and most of them respect it. In a nation which has fought for its independence in the past 'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal' makes it illegal to segregate people. The word independence itself could be applied to the blacks in America. It echoes the word emancipation used after the Secession War. These words sound ironical in his mouth if we consider the situation of the blacks at the time of King's speech. To take up George Orwell famous line, we could say that in America 'some are more equal than others'.

Why does he mention many different places, religions, types of people?

Mentioning many different places, religions, and types of people gives to his message a sort of universal scope: in his speech, Martin Luther King addresses all the citizens of the world, and more particularly his fellow countrymen. His audience should not be limited to the blacks present in Washington for that special event. Besides, the message he wants to pass on is that all the people living in this world are ' God's children ', in other words equals.

Would you say his message is realistic or idealistic?

In my opinion, some aspects of his message are very realistic while others, the major part, are idealistic. What is realistic here is the description he makes of the Blacks' past and present. In his opinion Black people have always been treated as slaves, and it is still true in some American states. I quote 'a state sweltering with the heat of injustice' and 'a mountain of despair'. Now, what is idealistic is the hoped-for situation he would like to see in his country: he dreams of the day when his 'four little children will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character'. Considering the troubled times of the Civil Rights Movement in 1960's America, we realise much faith and determination are necessary if we want this dream to become true. However, the overall tone of the speech is optimism.

In your opinion, has King's dream become true in today's America?

More than thirty years have passed since the day Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech in Washington. We may wonder whether the dream he had then has become true. Optimistic people would say much has been achieved since then: the blacks can vote, segregation has become illegal in the South, black people enjoy more freedom than three decades ago. On the other hand, a pessimistic (realistic?) person would say not much has changed: for many people, the Blacks are still discriminated against, in spite of some famous black's success-stories. In my opinion, many things can still be improved upon as concerns real equality between races in today's USA.