Declaration of Independence and I Have a Dream Essay Example for Free

Declaration of Independence and I Have a Dream Essay Thomas Jefferson’s â€Å"Declaration of Independence† and Martin Luther King’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† are texts that have a common denominator: the pursuit of liberty. Although both documents do not focus their context in the same historical moment, both have greatly influenced the history of the United States. Specifically, Jefferson’s purpose with the â€Å"Declaration of Independence† was to denounce the offenses suffered at the hands of Great Britain and to finally declare their absolute independence, sovereignty and liberty. On the other hand, Martin Luther King’s speech, â€Å"I Have a Dream† exhorts people to end the discrimination towards Negroes and finally, their freedom. In the â€Å"Declaration of Independence†, Jefferson employs a very clear and concise language. He used this powerful language in order to use it as an instrument of social and political change. His wordplay is a very persuasive and strong one. The language of the â€Å"Declaration of Independence† is more complicated because it is a document written in 1776 and some of the words written in it are not used so often today. In the speech I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King also used words of strong connotation. It is a speech written mostly in the form of sermon, which is influenced by King, who served as a Baptist clergyman. Both texts employ a highly persuasive language that is mainly directed to their respective audiences. When we analyze the â€Å"Declaration of Independence†, we can realize that Jefferson makes a list of statements to prove the absolute Tyranny, which is present over the States. He uses these to persuade and convince the audience. Also, he repeats phrases such as â€Å"He has†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and â€Å"For†¦Ã¢â‚¬  to emphasize the facts he is presenting. Basically, the â€Å"Declaration of Independence† is a deductive argument, a form which begins with a principle and is followed by details, examples, and reasoning. Finally, â€Å"I Have a Dream† is the union of many literary techniques. King’s use of repetition in phrases like I have a dream and Let freedom ring emphasize the yearnings of Negroes and present what they mainly seek. It is a work which alludes to the â€Å"Declaration of Independence†. It also has lots of metaphors and analogies. The â€Å"Declaration of Independence† focuses its content first in its preamble, in which are written the most important and basic principles of the Declaration. Then, it is followed by a list of charges against the King of Great Britain, which are directed to demonstrate his tyranny among the States. The conclusion says that they must avoid such tyranny and declare that they have their sovereignty and therefore, their freedom. â€Å"I Have a Dream† mainly focuses on the complaint of the disenfranchisement of Negroes and the exhortation to change. Is a social proposal, a breathtaking and inspiring speech in its content. Finally, we conclude that there are more similarities between the Declaration of Independence and I Have a Dream than differences. They are texts that encourage the masses to enter and begin social movements in order to fight for their rights. These are inspiring and encouraging texts that reflect the feeling of the huge majorities in the United States. Synthesizing, the language is complex and compelling, both are full of literary techniques, and the content is social, and aimed at the masses in order to pursuit their liberty.