Belonging

Voice in texts is one of the main ways that composers connect with their audience. It tells us what the composer thinks of his or her subject matter, the people involved and the events that take place. Three texts that communicate distinctive experiences and personalities through their own distinctive voices are the speeches ‘ I have a dream’ (martin Luther king) and address to the plenary session at the earth summit (severn cullis- Suzuki) and the novel the big sleep (Raymond chandler)

King’s content is structured to create a compelling argument for immediate action and change. He begins with a reminder of US democratic traditions and emancipation, with “five score years” echoing “four score years and twenty” of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, placing the speech in the context of the history of the African- American struggle in the USA. Lincoln’s promise however has not been honored. African Americans have metaphorically been given the name ‘bad cheque’. The social temperature is rising but they will seek justice through doing what is right, not through resorting to violence and civil disorder. Black and white people will walk together towards a brighter future, acknowledging the suffering that many have already undergone in this cause. King tells them not to despair because he has a “dream”,” hope” and “faith”. If they all dream the same dream, they will be “free at last”.   In structuring his points this way, king take his audience from recognition of the problem, to acknowledgement of their frustration and anger, to the need to remain hopeful, positive and united, to the final attainment of their collective ‘dream’. His voice is inspirational, urgent, progressive, thoughtful and determined. He remains positive throughout and certain of the legitimacy and rightness of his claims.

The diction in king’s speech is uplifting, intended to fill his audience with hope and energy to continue fighting peacefully for their rights and to come out of the ‘dark and...