A Comparison of the Declaration of Independence and Kings...

Every individual has their own definition of freedom. Depending on time, place, religion, or race, this definition varies, but essentially comes back to one point: all men, regardless of anything, are created equally, and therefore have a right to be free. The Declaration of Independence, by Thomas Jefferson, and Martin Luther King, Jr.s I Have A Dream are two works addressing this concern. Although Jefferson and King led extremely different lives over 150 years apart, both faced issues of human equality that drove them to write two of the most influential works in American history. Thomas Jefferson, an educated, well respected career man, served as governor of Virginia, secretary of state, and†¦show more content†¦Each strived for human equality, freedom, and abolishing prejudices, and although their personal definitions differed, they wrote to and spoke for the public. As educated men, they knew what people wanted to hear and how to make it sound appealing to those who disagreed. Although sending out similar messages, the language of these writings differs. The times in which each man lived obviously makes an impact on the word choice and style, but more importantly was the audience each wanted to reach through these writings. Jefferson sent out his declaration to educated white men, business men, and those tired of British rule, the audience he wanted to appeal to. He says, Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experiences hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed (Jefferson 305). Jefferson points out the fact that if a change was not really needed, America wouldnt take such drastic measures to make things different. King, however, was speaking to millions of people, some with little or no education, and some many with years of schooling. Being such a broad and diverse audience, King had to speak more generally so all could understand. Metaphors are commonly used throughout Kings speech, probably used to createShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of I Have A Dream Speech901 Words   |  4 PagesOne of the most acknowledged Civil Rights activists in this history of the United States, Martin Luther King, in his empowering speech, â€Å"I Have a Dream,† proposed his desire for racial equality across the globe in a strong-minded manner. King’s purpose for both writing and or ally publishing this speech at the March on Washington affair was to motivate his audience into demanding racial justice and an amalgamated society for all people. 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Angered by this rebuke, King, who did not make a habit of addressing his critics, responded by writing an open letter, Letter from a Birmingham Jail, from his prison cell on April 16, 1963, literally in the margins of the Birmingham News, on scraps of paper and on paper borrowed from his assistant, Clarence Jones, who then smuggled it out of the jail. Later published in Kings collection of essays Why