Questions over Speech.

Who is speaking: Martin Luther King Jr.

Why was/is the speech important to society: He was speaking in a very volatile time in America's history.  Specifically he was speaking out against the United States actions against the Vietnamese people in its ongoing war. This was major fuel to the fire of the times and King was speaking to a room of clergyman who by calling tend to be more passive in their opposition of the government.  Here he challenges them to break their silence as he is now doing. 

Why do you feel in it is important or interesting: There is an unbelievable amount of impacting content in this speech.  King is known for this in his words, and in a speech that lasts for just shy of an hour, there is bound to be many points of interest.  I love the passion that resonates through his every word and the pauses that he allows in every sentence for the listener to fully take on the weight of what is being spoke.  The layout of the times, and the gravity of the situation is clear throughout the speech to someone who didn't even live through the era.  He also often uses biblical alliterations, both because of who he is and also because of the audience he is speaking to. 

Just a few quotes: We have destroyed their two most cherished institutions: the family and the village. We have destroyed their land and their crops. We have cooperated in the crushing of -- in the crushing of the nation's only noncommunist revolutionary political force, the unified Buddhist Church. We have supported the enemies of the peasants of Saigon. We have corrupted their women and children and killed their men.

Now there is little left to build on, save bitterness. Soon the only solid physical foundations remaining will be found at our military bases and in the concrete of the concentration camps we call "fortified hamlets." The peasants may well wonder if we plan to build our new Vietnam on such grounds as these. Could we blame them for such thoughts? We must speak for them and raise the questions they cannot raise. These, too, are our brothers.

A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. On the one hand, we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life's roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life's highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. 

What is the emotion, mood, tone, personality, feeling of the speech: It is a passionate plea to a group of peers and to a following of people to consider the role the United States was playing in Vietnam.  The role that began well before the war ever did.  It is serious and full of imagery to deliver a deeper message. 

What is intonation, emphasis, what is loud, stressed, or soft: King keeps an almost constant beat in his sentences, speaking a few words and then allowing the audience time to consider and evaluate. His tone is also nearly the same through the entire speach: powerful.  He rarely backs down from a full voice throughout the entire hour.

Where are there pauses... everywhere 

Is there a call to action: Recognize what is poisoning the soul of America, the war in Vietnam. Do not silently sit by why this happens.

When listening to it what are key/emphasized words: Usually areas where he is talking about those in plight, the Vietnamese people, there is special emphasis given, but the entire speech carries with it a constant emphasis. 

How does it make you feel: Its extremely powerful, even today to someone from a generation far removed from this war.  It is so powerful, in fact, that it breaks free from the bonds of its era and speaks into the modern day, making me hold current actions against the wisdom of King. 

How do imagine that the audience felt: It was a call to action by a group of people who were already beginning to move in the direction he was calling for.  I think that this would have stood to be a motivational speech to the group, and effectively so.

Could there be another interpretation of the speech: The speech is extremely detailed and very clear. I doubt that anyone listening could misinterpret his feelings on the matter.