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. "The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis." Some would be uninterested and some not knowing what to do. In this way, he appeals to the emotions of the audience and challenges the logic behind an unnecessary war. 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. First of all, King makes his point clear by appealing to the reader's common sense, beliefs and values (logos). Ironic elements are evident in abundance throughout Kings speech which elicit an comical tone and draws on the reality of the war. Overall, the effective use of various rhetorical strategies is what makes the speech so valuable. Furthermore, when these stylistic elements are concluded with his use of parallelism, King effectively establishes America's involvement in the Vietnam War as unjust. Martin Luther King notes that we have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools (King). 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/. Rhetorical Analysis of MLK's Speech "Beyond Vietnam" December 22, 2016 By Richcoca PLATINUM, Canoga Park, California More by this author Widely known for his work in the Civil Rights Movement,. Get original paper in 3 hours and nail the task. The paper also analyzes Martin Luther Kings speech I have a dream with the purpose of rhetorical devices and how well they have been used in the speech, and how Afro-Americans conditions have been at the time. To further strengthen, the credibility of his argument and question the morality behind the war, he says, Since 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. By showing his own emotions, King inspires compassion in the. It is clear that he wants the audience of church leaders to go back to their churches and fearlessly speak out in opposition of the war. 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. Manacles of discrimination, Lonely island of poverty and Chains of discrimination paint a bleak picture of life as a minority in America, and contrasts phrases such as Bright day of justice and Sacred obligation which symbolize freedom. Moreover, this set of diction allows King to logically state that he can not continue to fight on behalf of the oppressed if he himself doesnt address their oppressor, the U.S. government. Here, Martin Luther King Jr is getting the audience emotionally and completely invested by showing the effect of America in Vietnam on their lives. 2 February 2013. He believed that the Vietnam War diverted money and attention from domestic programs created to aid the black poor and would benefit only the banks who fund wars and the industries that supply the war. 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. His pleas are first to the audiences sense of logic and their immediate concerns for their own country. His use of diction and imagery arouses anger while increasing his credibility since he criticizes the unjust war he describes. StudyCorgi. On April 4, 1967, King addressed a crowd of 3,000 in Riverside Church by delivering a speech titled, "Beyond Vietnam," in the midst of the cruelty of the Vietnam War. Despite having a shining moment of experiments, hopes, [and] new beginnings during the struggle for human rights, King illustrates the Vietnam War as broken and eviscerate and a political plaything of a society gone mad on war. He also makes an emotional plea by vividly describing the conditions in Vietnam. On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr gave us one of one of the most rhetorically moving speeches ever given. Encompassed within this quote is pathos because the harsh accusation leads the reader to think poorly of the government while pitying the poor. King's 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. The idea of nonviolence is much larger than ordinary people see. down the pipe, "I watched this program broken and eviscerated" through the "buildup in Vietnam,". 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. 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. 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. Many great speeches are increasingly different. And, to argue that King 's most radical days were never fulfilled; that his next campaign was to confront the president over the Vietnam War and economic disparity, a direct confrontation with a president over an immoral war state Hill and Wang from the book review. Moreover, Martin Luther King states that after the French were defeated, it looked as if independence and land reform would come again through the Geneva Agreement (King). Instead, King chooses to use facts to show what an illness war is. They now also understand that the Vietnam War plays a bigger role in America than just the men gone to war, it affects others too, like them. Read More Use Of Nonviolence In Cesar Chavez's Speech 409 Words | 2 Pages Martin Luther King Jr. was extremely passionate about nonviolence. However, his words while they aim to bring the pain of the Vietnamese alive before the audience also include a request that a progressive nation should stand with humanity and not lose control of its feelings. 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. He includes various perspectives and addresses several counterarguments with the intention to prove the futility of war as a tool to address social, economic and political problems. His audience at Riverside Church, likely familiar with his Civil Rights work, would most likely than view him with more credibility because they too could sympathize to an injustice done by the American government. Rhetorical Analysis Of Beyond Vietnam A Time To Break Silence In the speech "Beyond Vietnam- A Time to Break Silence," by Martin Luther King Jr. he expresses his opinion on how the Vietnam war is unjust. The author is using pathos as one of his central rhetorical strategies. The war was only going to consume lives and resources. (21). Dont There were many reasons why so many Americans were against the war. Dr. King says that the war is draining valuable resources that could be helping the poor in our own country. ' (Document, The war in Vietnam to do this day has gone down as one of the influential and controversial wars in United States history. For instance, he does when he depicts the, "Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools." Correct writing styles (it is advised to use correct citations) In a sense, he dives right into the idea that it is unrealistic for them to find freedom in a region halfway across the world when they couldnt even find it in America. King also links the issue to the question of Americas integrity. StudyCorgi, 4 May 2022, studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. "The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis." Pharapreising and interpretation due to major educational standards released by a particular educational institution as well as tailored to your educational institution if different; 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). Thank you! To achieve this, he used rhetorical strategies such as appeal to pathos and repetition. The irony is explicit in Kings words that the war is just an attempt to cover and hide the more pressing issues before America. Logos appeals to reasoning and argumentation by applying statistics, factual evidence, and data. When he argues that the wars immoral nature should be incandescently clear, he implies to his audience that those who do not voice their opinion against the war are not concerned for, the integrity and life of America. Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. uses parallelism within his own reflection to evoke emotions in his audience to show that . They wander into the towns and see thousands of the children, homeless, without clothes, running in packs on the streets like animals (20). Issues have been resolved because now the draft is less common because more people volunteer for war so the poor are not forced. 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. His main purpose was to try to persuade the audience to . It also uses a bit of strong imagery. War makes the innocent lose hope and leaves behind horrific memories for generations on both sides. 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). Need a custom essay sample written specially to meet your StudyCorgi. Dr. King's purpose is . This quote is referencing how poor and rich people were drafted to war but the poor people had no one left to support the family. "Beyond Vietnam-A Time to Break Silence" is an article written by Martin Luther King Jr himself. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. 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). This is a logical fact with which no one can argue. With an urgent tone, he repeats the phrase, we must speak (4), several times. For example, King says, We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God given rights (2). The war with Vietnam was just as unjust as unnecessary. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. If he had not shown knowledge of the background of the war, it would be easy to dismiss his other pleas as lofty religious ideals. 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. Apart from drawing a parallel between the situation in Vietnam and America, he shows neither stood to gain from it. Acasestudy.com 2007-2019 All rights reserved. Which of your works would you like to tell your friends about? 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. 1) Controversial Opinions of MLK 2) Religious figure talking about political problems 3) Malcolm X and his ideas Fitting Response EXIGENCY First Persona-Martin Luther King Second Persona-American Population and the Civil Rights Movement Third Persona- Vietnamese Population He efficiently uses the anecdote to tell how he has spoken with young men, telling them how violence will not solve their problems. Then Dr. King says that the church should oppose the war simply because it is counter to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Furthermore the Kings parallel structure clarifies and highlights his intent by building up to a more important point. 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 opinion on America's involvement in the Vietnam War. In a solemn tone, he talks about their crops being destroyed and their water being poisoned, presumably referring to Agent Orange. For these practical and logical reasons, the church should join the opposition. 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. May 4, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-speech-beyond-vietnam-a-time-to-break-silence-by-martin-luther-king-jr-rhetorical-analysis/. cite it correctly. However, all wanted clarity on the subject. However, a very powerful speech, in manys opinion, is the Ive Been to the Mountaintop speech, given shortly before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Dr. King's purpose is to make the church leaders he is speaking to aware that Apart from the use of ethos, pathos and logos in his speech, he builds a rock solid argument by involving religious figures and facts from history and philosophy. Introduction Martin Luther King, Jr in his speech "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" argued that US foreign policy was hypocritical when compared to the inequality present in the United States. 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. He says, To me the relationship of this ministry to the making of peace is so obvious that I sometimes marvel at those who ask me why Im speaking against the war (12). In the speech, Martin Luther King specifically indicates that America needs to end the war with Vietnam. submit it as your own as it will be considered plagiarism. This use of repetitive language conveys urgency and shows that he deeply believes the churches may influence the government if they speak against the war. Moreover, it is the poor and the helpless mainly who are falling prey to this war game. Here, at ACaseStudy.com, we deliver professionally written papers, and the best grades for you from your professors are guaranteed! By repeating the phrase, for the sake, he creates a rhythmic flow that causes his audience to be more receptive to his idea. If you are the original creator of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal. His speech grows deeply sarcastic at times. Additionally, Kings statement that Southeast Asia is eight thousand miles away strengthens the irony by making Southeast Asia seem like a place which is completely disconnected from America. 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. He says, And we must rejoice as well, for surely this is the first time in our nation's history that a significant number of its religious leaders have chosen to move beyond the prophesying of smooth patriotism to the high grounds of a firm dissent based upon the mandates of conscience and the reading of history. So, what America is doing to other nations like Vietnam also matters. Rhetorical Devices In Beyond Vietnam Speech 736 Words3 Pages All they wanted was "to save the soul of America" (King, Beyond, 42). Rhetorical Analysis of MLK's Speech "Beyond Vietnam" Widely known for his work in the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr eventually also gained momentum in the anti-war movement against the war in Vietnam. Nothing could be lower than being placed parallel to the senseless violence of Nazi Germany. 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). Martin Luther King Jr. Src: Pixabay Read a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr's Beyond Vietnam: Time to break silence. 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. No one should be restricted from rights and opportunities that others are given for that long. To start, Dr. Kings use of metaphors allows his audience to understand his viewpoint better. For example, this quote personifies war as being an enemy. 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. Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. In other words, the resources were used for the soldiers, yet the poor still needed them just as so. Luther starts off by explaining that Vietnam heavily takes away valuable money of the US. The paper concludes that Kings dream have not come true, but, Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Beyond Vietnam. Beyond Vietnam: A Rhetorical Analysis . It is why while he attacks America's intervention in Vietnam on the one hand, on the other he brings people's attention towards the other side of life where America can become a beacon of hope and peace for the entire world including Vietnam. King draws sympathy for his cause from the reader who sees the unjustness of the situation he and his followers are dealing with. Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. uses parallelism within his own reflection to evoke emotions in his audience to show that . In front of over 3000 people at the New York Riverside Church King preaches to a room filled with clergy and laymen concerned about the Vietnam. For example, he says that if Americas soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read: Vietnam. King uses this metaphor to establish the potentially dreadful consequences of America continuing to fight the war. This is an obvious and extremely effective argument, especially among a group of Christian church leaders. This comparison is very sobering. Please note that while we value your input, we cannot respond to every message. 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. King Jr makes a strong statement against war and his speech successfully evokes compassion and sympathy for the poor and the weak in both Vietnam and America. Luthers speech was a passionate rhetoric that preached his views about the future. 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. War is expensive. King uses this metaphor to emphasize the treatment of African Americans in America. The audience felt empowered by the sentence alone. It encompasses all humanity and not just America. It allows them to imagine what might happen if America were to keep fighting in the war. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. To get his point through and make the meaning clear, King uses phrases like break the silence of the night, a vocation of agony, based upon the mandates of conscience, deeper level of awareness. StudyCorgi. 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. Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us. - M.J. In this way, he condemns and questions the Vietnam war and its relevance at a time when America had several of its own major problems to address. 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 was in the process of proving that it wasn 't a money issue in America, but an equality issue. Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently argues against the United States involvement in Vietnam through his use of parallelism, diction, and imagery. His use of imagery and diction is aimed at making people break their silence and express their anger clearly. Favorite Quote:What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. To construct a clear and strong picture and show how condemnable the war exercises in Vietnam were, King compared it with an arena of gladiators which even if it amuses and engages, is something absolutely animal and barbaric. He also affirms that people have better options and that the idea of war, despite that it sounds patriotic is basically inhuman. The author here is using statistics to present the horrifying picture of the Vietnam War. His audience at Riverside Church, likely familiar with his Civil Rights work, would most likely than view him with more credibility because they too could sympathize to an injustice done by the American government. 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. Thank you for sharing this page with a friend! The rhetoric helps prove how the poor lived worse in the, King, a supporter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his Great Society, became concerned about U.S. involvement in Vietnam. He is using historical facts to create a parallel between the current situation and the past. 2022. Ethos, the appeal to the legitimacy and authority of the speaker, is used throughout the speech. Moreover, Martin Luther King Jr meticulously chooses specific words that carry with them a negative connotation that helps associate the Vietnamese war with injustice. Furthermore, such a vivid picture will linger permanently in the audiences mind, which will make them think about the terrible outcome in the future. Along with calming someone, you can inspire others with your, In Kings speech, the use of sensory and visceral language is abundant, creating an emotional and powerful atmosphere. Favorite Quote:Make as many as mistakes as you want, just don't make the same mistake. 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118, USA. Furthermore, when these stylistic elements are concluded with his use of parallelism, King effectively establishes America's involvement in the Vietnam War as unjust. Dr. King paints a vivid, heart-wrenching picture of the devastation in Vietnam. Favorite Quote:Life is like a box of cheese and flower petal sometimes it's soft and sweet, sometimes it just plain stinks. Acting almost as a climax, King lyrically urges his audience to voice their opinions and wage a war against this unjustified war in Vietnam. Welcome to the world of case studies that can bring you high grades! Rhetorical Analysis In King's Beyond Vietnam. Additionally, by constructing an optimistic view on the civil rights situation during that time period and immediately refuting it, King is able to establish a strong sense of, Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. 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. Martin Luther King Jr. disagreed with the way the war was being handled, and thought nonviolent demonstrations would be more efficient. It permits Dr. King to enlighten people of what was going in that time period. 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. The image of death, as powerful as it is, becomes amplified when Martin Luther King associates the injustices of segregation with the Vietnam war. King wants his audience. 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. If you have a suggestion about this website or are experiencing a problem with it, or if you need to report abuse on the site, please let us know. Rhetorical Analysis, Martin Luther King Rhetorical Devices Analysis, Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.S Speech, A Rhetorical Analysis Journey Through Martin Luther King Jr.s SpeechI Have a Dream. The Speech Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence by Martin Luther King, Jr: Rhetorical Analysis. He states, Many people have questioned me about the wisdom of my path. The speech was given to a large, mixed audience of primarily civil rights activists. Rhetorical Analysis of MLK's Speech "Beyond Vietnam", Key Ingredients to Being a Successful Student. By claiming that the United States, the greatest purveyor of violence, prefers, massive doses of violence to solve its problems, King effectively establishes the U.S. government as the pervasive wrongdoer. King uses quotes as these to suggest to convince them of the destruction of the Vietnam War, with pathos, by strongly appealing to his audience's emotion. It also describes the Jim Crow laws and the busboy cot from 1955. He then outlines the history of the war in Vietnam, showing that he is not simply preaching about religious ideals. Moreover, this set of diction allows King to logically state that he can not continue to fight on behalf of the oppressed if he himself doesn't address their oppressor, the U.S. government.