e identity does not extend to absolute duplication, it “requires some variable feature of the pattern-some contrasting elements which are ‘parallel’ with respect to their position in the pattern”(Leech, 1969:66). To put it simply, parallelism means the balancing of sentence elements that are grammatically equal. To take them parallel, balance nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, prepositional phrases with prepositional phrases, clauses with clauses, and so forth.

In his speech, Martin Luther King uses parallelism to create a strong rhythm to help the audience line up his ideas. Here are few examples:

⑤…by the manacles of seGREgation and the chains of discrimination…(Par.2, two parallel noun phrases)

⑥“This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drag of gradualism.” (Par.4, two parallel infinitive phrases: “to engage…to take…”)

⑦“there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America…”(Par. 5, two parallel nouns joined with “neither…nor”)

⑧“We shall never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity…”(Par. 7, two parallel verb phrases)

It is traditionally believed that parallelism is used for the purpose of emphasizing and enhancing, esp. in speech, the ideas expressed by the speaker (or author in written versions), thus always encouraging and inspiring the audience. We need not to be very carefully to find out many more examples of parallelism used in King’s speech and classified as is followed:

3.2.1 parallel nouns:

⑨This not was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (Par. 3, three parallel nouns as attributive)

⑩1963 is not an end, but a beginning (Par. 5, two parallel nouns joined with “not…but…”)

⑾Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. (Par. 6)

⑿…have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. (Par. 6, two pairs of parallel nouns).

⒀I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment…(Par. 8)

⒁…a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. (Par. 11, two pairs of parallel nouns).

3.2.2 Parallel noun phrases:

⒂So we have to came to cash this check-a check that will give as upon demand the riches of freedom and The security of justice. (Par. 4)

⒃I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brother hood (Par. 10)

3.2.3 Parallel infinitive phrases:

⒄It would be fetal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. (Par.5, two parallel infinitive phrases)

⒅With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to straggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. (Par. 7, five parallel infinitive phrases).

⒆I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. (Par. 12)

⒇…, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, … (Par. 25)

E. Parallel clauses:

(21) …, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and (that) their freedom is inextricably bound t our freedom. (Par. 6, two parallel objective clause)

(22) I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough place will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. (Par. 6, six parallel clauses used as appositions of the noun “dream”).

3.3 Use of Similes and Metaphors

As two very important types of meaning transference in literature, similes and metaphors are comparisons that show similarities in things that are basically different, which can be used to add vividness and vitality to writing. As Leech points out, metaphor is associated with a particular rule of transference which may be called the “metaphoric rule” (1969: 151). That is, the figurative meaning is derived from the literal meaning or it is, as it were, the literal meaning.

Throughout the speech, King makes extensive use of similes and metaphors. In paragraph 1, for example, King compares The Emancipation Proclamation to two forms of brilliant light cutting through darkness. The first-“a joyous daybreak”-compares it to the sunrise, which (in this case) ends “the long night of captivity”. In paragraph 2, he speaks of “the manacles of seGREgation and the chains of discrimination,” comparing segregation and discrimination under which the Negro people live to the manacles and chains once used on slaves. Therefore, it is very clear that the using of similes and metaphors can definitely add vividness and vitality to writing and make it easy for the readers or audience to understand.

Now let’s cite some of the similes and metaphors used in King’s speech.

(23) One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. (Par. 2, metaphors)

(24) But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the GREat vaults of opportunity for this nation (Par.4, metaphors)

(25)This is no time … to take the tranquilizing drag of gradualism. (Par. 4, metaphor)

(26) This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. (Par. 5, Metaphors)

(27) …we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. (Par. 7, Similes)

(28) …a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. (Par. 14, Similes)

3.4 Use of Contrast

Although maybe a rhetorical device instead of a stylistic one, contrast has also been used effectively, like repetition, in this speech, achieving the function of making clear the ideas of the speaker. In paragraph l, for example, “GREat beacon light of hope” is contrasted with “flames of withering injustice,” and “joyous daybreak” with long night of captivity.”

As it is defined, contrast is used to show the difference between two things. Therefore, it is not very difficult for us to understand why the speaker king uses so many contrasts in his speech.

(29) One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. (Par. 2)

(30) Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of seGREgation to the sunlit path of racial justice. (Par. 4)

(31) Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood (Par.4)

(32) This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. (Par. 5)

(33) 1963 is not an end, but a beginning. (Par. 5)

(34) Again and again we must rise to the majestic height of meeting physical force with soul force. (Par. 6)

(35) And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. (Par. 7)

(36)…the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.(Par. 10)

(37)…a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. (Par. 11)

(38)…where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. (Par. 12)

(39) With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. (Par. 17)

(40) With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

4. Conclusion

As we have analyzed above, stylistic devices are frequently used in the discourse of literary works especially in speech, to achieve certain specific purposes. Thus making the style of a speech somewhat particular to the others.

Generally speaking, a speech may have the following stylistic characteristics:

To begin with, it must be very persuasive. Thus the sentence patterns are very well-organized, with repetitions, parallelism and contrasts frequently used.

Secondly, it should be emotional so as to be convincing, because the speaker should face the audience directly and his words should not only be orderly and informative but also be expressive and inspiring. Therefore, the stylistic devices such as similes and metaphors are often involved.

Finally, in many cases, written-conversational style is usually used with not very formal diction and not very complicated sentence structure.

Bibliography:

[1]. Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have a Dream, August 28, 1963

[2]. Wang Shouyuan, Essentials of English Stylistics, Shandong University Press, July, 2000

[3]. Pan Shaozhang, English Rhetoric and Writing, Shanghai Transportation University Press, December, 1998

[4]. Widdowson, H. G. Stylistics and the Teaching of Literature, Longman, 1975

[5]. Leech, G. N. “ ‘This bread I break’ Language and interpretation”. In D.C. Freeman. (ed.). Linguistics and Literature Style. New York:Holt, Rinhart & Winston.

Acknowledgements:

It was really a laborious task to accomplish a

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