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The racist mindsets of people in the 1960s are what composers were attempting to change through their texts. Composers such as Martin Luther King, in his “I have a dream speech” and Harper Lee, author of to kill a mocking bird each successfully used a range of powerful techniques such as language devices and textual features. These techniques effectively engaged audiences to change how they thought about racism.
In To kill a mocking bird, Lee successfully portrays racism through the despised character, Bob Ewell. This challenges audiences to change their mindset of racism. Racism is prejudice or discrimination against a different race in the belief that your own race is superior. Bob Ewell uses crude terminology and low modality language when he accused “that black nigger younder of ruttin’ on my Mayella.” This atrocious terminology and language decreases Toms humane appearance, which shocks the reader and persuades them to feel compassion for Tom and bitterness for Bob. Another instance where Bob Ewell effectively uses offensive terminology and alliteration is when he said “…lived down yonder in that nigger-nest…I’ve asked this county for fifteen years to clean out that nest down yonder, they’re dangerous to live around 'sides devaluin’ my property.” In this, we can see that Harper lee uses alliteration and offensive language to capture the audience’s attention when bob Ewell describes the black people as “dangerous” and where they live to be a “nigger nest”. We can also see that Bob has said that they’re (black people) devaluing his property which is offensive and influences the audience to hate Bob Ewell even more. “that he’d looked through the window, then ran the nigger off.” This quote shows us the offensive terminology of bob Ewell through the first-person view of scout, which gives us first-hand account of the situation. Although it was not uncommon to use this crude terminology back then, in today’s society it is highly looked down on, that is why the audience is disgusted with Bob Ewell’s words. Using these techniques, Harper lee successfully challenges our understanding of racism, she persuades us with her words to think negatively of racism. Therefore, it is apparent that attitudes of racism are challenged through Harper Lee’s novel, To kill a mockingbird
Malcolm X was a man with a mission. In 1963 Malcolm X successfully delivered his powerful message which brought a new idea about how to deal with racism. He convinced many people that his popular opinion, separation, which is to separate each race and not to interact, is the most beneficial option. He did this by effectively using many techniques through-out his speech. “enlightened leaders expect the poor black sheep to intergrade into a society of bloodthirsty white wolves” this quote shows Malcolm X’s powerful metaphor of “Black sheep” and “white wolves” explains the type of society they lived in and gives our modern audience an understanding that the pray (black people) were commonly attacked by the predators (white people). This quote also shows the technique of alliteration which will capture the audience’s attention emphasizing the idea that white people are wolves or predators. Malcolm X uses many rhetorical questions throughout his speech to try and subtly influence the audience. He also uses them to highlight a point and to get the audience thinking, “will these awakened black masses truly revolt and separate themselves completely from the wicked race that has enslaved us?” Although Malcolm X’s plan was never fully put into order, he gave us some amazing and persuading thoughts on racism and challenged the way we thought of racism.
“I have a dream.” These powerful words, spoken by Martin Luther King, showed people in 1963 that there is hope, hope for a society without racism. Where “little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” Throughout King’s entire speech he tried to make his idea of integration clear by using many language techniques. “I have a dream… I have a dream.” in this quote, he has used his most effective technique from his speech, Amplification. He uses the technique of amplification to emphasize his point and make people remember his statement and idea. King uses this technique many times through his speech. Another technique which he used to grab people’s attention is the use of alliteration, “Rise from the dark and desolate…the marvellous new militancy…trials and tribulations….” By using this technique, King focuses the audience’s attention to these words which imprint these words into the audience’s minds. Through the speech, Martin Luther King has successfully contested our understandings of racism through his ideas of integration and has changed society’s way of treating one another.
Overall, composers from the 1960s were very influential in the black movement. Each composer played a vital role in the pursuit to end racism. Although times have changed, the ultimate goal to end racism is far from finished in today’s society. But authors and activists such as Harper Lee, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King have done much to contribute in the ending of racism and they have done so through the use of techniques to challenge our understanding of racism.
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