Animal Farm Speech

911 Words4 Pages
Old Major’s speech in Animal Farm and the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. are both persuasive propagandas. Despite one being fictional and one being real, both leaders make strong arguments that promote equality. However within the two speeches, one speech makes a stronger argument, which is Old Major’s speech in Animal Farm. Old Major employs many techniques and methods such as claims and counterclaims, which lead to a stronger and more persuasive argument. Old Major makes a stronger argument than Martin Luther King Jr., thus leading to a more stronger and effective speech. Rhetorical techniques and methods are used throughout both speeches. Old Major and Martin Luther King both use ethos in order to captivate their audience. Old Major uses his reputation and influence as an esteemed old boar to capture the other animals’ attention. In the beginning the speech Old Major states, “I have had a long life, I have had much time for though as I lay alone in my stall, and I think I may say the I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living.” By stating this Old Major implies that everything that he is about to say is reliable and could be trusted, as well as further establish himself as a wise intelligent boar. In Martin Luther’s “I Have a Dream” speech, King is already revered as a great African American leader, as well as a great speaker before presenting his speech.. King is well known before presenting his speech, but does not mention anything specific in his speech that refer to his accomplishments or reliability. King could have made a stronger speech if he incorporated this into his speech. Instead, King appeals more to pathos in an attempt to draw sympathy from the audience. In not appealing greatly to ethos, some of intended audience will not be fully satisfied with King’s argument for equality. Another
Open Document