Student Question
What does Martin Luther King Jr. mean by "let us not wallow in the valley of despair"?
Quick answer:
In "I Have a Dream," Martin Luther King Jr. means by "let us not wallow in the valley of despair" that people should not succumb to sadness and helplessness despite ongoing injustices. He encourages perseverance and hope, drawing on his pastoral background to evoke the idea that, like valleys in the Bible, despair can be overcome through faith and determination. This precedes his vision of a just, unified society.
The "I Have a Dream" speech, by Martin Luther King Jr, is one of the most famous orations of all time. Its hopeful tone cries out to its audience to pursue King's "dream" of a racially just America which is built on cooperation between all people. King uses figurative language to describe the deplorable injustices suffered by African Americans and his dreams for a bright and just future for all Americans.
In his statement,
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends
Martin Luther King Jr implores his audience, who have suffered in their struggles for civil rights to approach their struggles for social and political justice with an enduring spirit of perseverance. To "wallow" in a deep valley of sadness and helplessness at the continuing injustices suffered by protesters and those supporting the cause will dull the mind's capacity to dream the
dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
King's reference to valleys and despair was not lost on the audience he addressed. As a pastor, he would frequently have referred to valleys as places of depression and despair, from which the will and the power of God could save. Two of the most well-known of these Bible passages are Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 37:1-14.
This invitation to his listeners to rise from their despair is followed by the most famous section of the "I Have a Dream" speech, which outlines Martin Luther King's visions of a just society, where former enemies may sit together as brothers, and where all children will have the same rights and freedoms.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.