In his speech Mr. King's use of repetition is phenomenal. His use of repetition nicely complements and builds the emotions that he stirs in his audience. For example, when he says, "We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. " The repetition in this quote enhances his argument that the Negro has an unfair disadvantage and has no way to advance in his society. He drives this point by giving examples that cannot be denied, like when he says that, the children are stripped of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". Its statements like this that really showcase how disinviting America's society was at that point in time.
Using that same quote, we can observe his exceptional use of pathos as well. He appeals to the audience's emotions by exposing all the situations and hardships that the Negro had to deal with on a daily basis. He sympathizes with the Negro that wants to advance in society, but the only advance he or she can make is to a larger ghetto than he already lives in. He acknowledges the frustration that the Negro feels when he or she reads a sign that says "For Whites Only". He brings out the anger that the Negro feels when the officers that are meant to protect and serve the people, are only brutalizing them. Dr. King acknowledges the hopelessness and how discouraged the Negro must feel when he or she cannot vote or have nothing to vote for. All of these examples are there to speak to the audience on a more personal level strengthening his speech.
