MLK Lit Test Study

King says, "This is the dream." To what American "dream" is he referring?

He is saying that "all men" should have God-given rights... "among these are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness"

King uses the terms "universalism" (all together)and "all minorities" Why doesn't he just say "African Americans" in this speech?

King is going beyond color; he references "all men" three times to show concern for all minorities, not just African Americans.

Why does King speak about a "democracy" and then a "totalitarian regime"?

He speaks this to persuade his listeners to pursue "the dream," since it is encouraged in our form of government.

What was the "American dilemma"?

That America practices segregation and allowed slavery in a county founded on democracy and The Declaration of Independence

According to King, in order to be a "first-class nation, America can . . .

"no longer have second-class citizens."

After establishing the problem of the "American Dream," how does King futher persuade his audience to take action toward it?

After presenting the problem, he suggests some things "(they) must do" to attain the dream (solutions).

Why -- according to King -- must all Americans have a "global perspective"?

Because we live in this "jet age" we have become a "single neighborhood."

How (once more) does King so eloquently tie in his concept of "universalism" in his CONCLUSION?

In his FINAL paragraph, King progresses from a "neighborhood" to a "brotherhood" (concern about "each other"), and states the consequence (perishing) if "we don't act."

In “The American Dream” essay what does it mean that America has been something of a
schizophrenic personality?

America is divided against herself. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal but practices of segregation and allowing slavery have gone against this.

In “The American Dream” essay what is King trying to persuade Americans to do?

We must all live together and be concerened about each other.

In “The American Dream” essay who does King say are the true saviors of democracy?

The true saviors of democracy are those who are working to implement the American Dream.

What price does King say America will pay for treating people as "second-class citizens"?

destruction

Why does King say that the world has become "a single neighborhood"?

People can travel so quickly

In the “I Have a Dream” speech, why is the beginning especially appropriate?

He speaks of the Emancipation Proclamation passed by Licoln in front of the Licoln Memorial.

In the “I Have a Dream” speech, what writing techniques does King use?

He uses repitition.

In the “I Have a Dream” speech, what does King warn his followers not to do?

To not be guilty of wrongful deeds.

In the “I Have a Dream” speech, what does King compare the unjust treatment of blacks to?

“to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.”

Langston Hughes Poems - Figurative Language

Similies, Personification, Imagery, Metaphors

Langston Hughes Poems - Possible Themes

“Dreams” - Don’t give up, Dreams power our lives, Dreams are important, Hold on to your dreams

“What Happens to a Dream Deferred“ - Don’t let dreams die, Hold on to your dreams, Pushing away your dreams can ruin them and your life, If you don’t act on your dreams, the dream could go bad.

“Mother to Son“ - Life’s hard but don’t give up, Freedom

“Mother to Son”

Crystal stair = perfect life

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“It’s had tacks in it.

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor.” = hardships/difficulties

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“And reachin’ landin’s.

And turnin’ corners,“ = Don’t give up there are good things to come

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“Don’t you set down on the steps“ - Giving up

devoid

entirely lacking or free from.

antithesis

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.