Compare and Contrast Similarities and Differences Between Dr. Kings Speech and Old Majors Speech

Dr.Kings speech and Old Majors speech share a common goal, freedom for their fellow citizens. However, despite their common aspirations, there are differences as well as similarities in both speeches. Dr King wants equality, but Old Major wants total control.

Similarities

• same tone – full of expectancy and confidence
• both exhibits tones of jubilation and courage
• the crowd is positively charged
• both crowd feels that the time has come for action
• both speeches are concise―proper use adjectives
• there is no use of redundancy, speech is to the point and germane

Differences

• Old Major thinks it is time for them to have their own government
• Dr. King want recognition
• Old Major wants to rid England of human being
• Dr King wants to live peacefully together
• Dr. King speech is longer and uses metaphor to make his point
• Dr. King speech fight for liberation

Final Thoughts of Dr. Kings Speech and Old Majors Speech

Dreams can be either of two things, literal or figurative. The dreams of Dr. king and Old Major are figurative. Even though they share a common goal, there are comparisons and contrasts in their speeches.

Dr. King and Old Major are fighting for freedom. Dr. King wants equality for the American Negroes. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Though both parties are fighting for liberation, their concept of liberation is different. Whereas Dr. King believes in “liberty and justice for all,” Old Major wants his own kingdom. He feels that animals can only be free in a world without man. “Tyrant Man shall be oerthrown./ And the fruitful fields of England/ Shall be trod by beasts alone.”

Both speakers exhibit a tone of jubilation and confidence; they are convinced that the time has come for them to take what is truly theirs, and both speakers have a list of expectations, Dr. King holds the faith that one day all Americans “will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together.” Old Major concurs with Dr. King, and yearns for the day when “Rings shall vanish from our noses,/ And the harness from our back,/ Bit and spur shall rust forever,/ Cruel whip no more shall crack.” This tone remains throughout both speeches, as a result, the crowd remains positively charged.

Both speeches are concise and to the point, there is no redundancy, and their adjectives are strategically placed. Words were well chosen, Old Major talks of bright field, purer water, and sweeter breeze. Dr. King uses visible adjectives: “prodigious hilltops; mighty mountains; heightening Alleghenies; snow-capped rockies; curvaceous slopes; and vicious racists.” It is hard to miss the fact that these speeches are made to keep the crowd provoked.

Dr. Kings speech is longer and his use of metaphor is astounding. His speech tantalizes the senses. Dr. King mesmerizes the crowd with the following metaphorical sentences.
…a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oases of freedom and justice…With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
Two speeches in a quest for liberation, one for equality: “…we can never be satisfied until justice rolls down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream;” the other for complete control:” Soon the day is coming,/ Tyrant Man shall be overthrown,/ And the fruitful fields of England,/ Shall be trod by beasts alone.”