Metaphor in I have a dream

Language and Identity

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Metaphor: a word or phrase that ordinarily means one thing but is used to describe something else

a comparison between two things without using "like" or "as"
example: "You are an angel" ( = wonderful, kind person)
Metaphor in "I Have a Dream"

Examples

From "I Have a Dream" Meaning

seared in the flames of withering injustice (to sear = burn the surface of meat to keep the juices in) (withering = to dry up -- like leaves or a plant)

hurt by injustice that exhausted them

daybreak (when the sun comes up)

beginning of a new period of history = the end of slavery

night of their captivity (captivity = imprisonment)

the period of slavery

manacle (= handcuff)

limitations or lack of freedom

cash a check

collect what is already ours

promissory note

a promise to do something

a check that has come back marked "insufficient" funds

there is nothing to collect/nothing owed

the bank of justice is bankrupt

there is no justice available; the supply of justice is gone

Match the metaphor with the meaning

____ luxury of cooling off

a. period of intense discomfort

____ the tranquilizing drug of gradualism

b. prejudice and discrimination that traps or captures you and limits your freedom

____ dark and desolate valley

c. remaining calm by continuing very slowly and patiently or waiting

____ quicksands of racial injustice (sandy places where you sink down and can't get out)

d. the depressing and lonely situation

____ sweltering summer of discontent (sweltering = very hot and humid)

e. the easy path of being passive

Your turn: What do you thing these metaphors mean?

Metaphor Meaning

autumn of freedom and equality

.

whirlwinds of revolt

.

ghetto

.

battered by storms of persecutions

.

staggered by the winds of police brutality

.

wallow in the valley of despair

.

table of brotherhood

.

to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope

.

beautiful symphony of brotherhood

.

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Examples
From "I Have a Dream"	Meaning
seared in the flames of withering injustice (to sear = burn the surface of meat to keep the juices in) (withering = to dry up -- like leaves or a plant)	hurt by injustice that exhausted them
daybreak (when the sun comes up)	beginning of a new period of history = the end of slavery
night of their captivity (captivity = imprisonment)	the period of slavery
manacle (= handcuff)	limitations or lack of freedom
cash a check	collect what is already ours
promissory note	a promise to do something
a check that has come back marked "insufficient" funds	there is nothing to collect/nothing owed
the bank of justice is bankrupt	there is no justice available; the supply of justice is gone

Match the metaphor with the meaning
____ luxury of cooling off	a. period of intense discomfort
____ the tranquilizing drug of gradualism	b. prejudice and discrimination that traps or captures you and limits your freedom
____ dark and desolate valley	c. remaining calm by continuing very slowly and patiently or waiting
____ quicksands of racial injustice (sandy places where you sink down and can't get out)	d. the depressing and lonely situation
____ sweltering summer of discontent (sweltering = very hot and humid)	e. the easy path of being passive

Your turn: What do you thing these metaphors mean?
Metaphor	Meaning
autumn of freedom and equality	.
whirlwinds of revolt	.
ghetto	.
battered by storms of persecutions	.
staggered by the winds of police brutality	.
wallow in the valley of despair	.
table of brotherhood	.
to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope	.
beautiful symphony of brotherhood	.