English Reading Quiz

Reading Guide, Miler’s “Voice Merging and Self-Making”

You do not have to answers the questions in this quiz! But the questions I sent you are all taken from this reading guide.

A) Miller’s introductory section is three paragraphs long. (This is a long essay, so Miller can get away with this. Remember the 10% rule from RW 100!). In these paragraphs, Miller explains the oddly racist implications of scholars’ habit of attributing King’s intellectual development to his study of white philosophers and ignoring the influence of the black tradition of folk preaching. Against this trend, Miller sees three characteristics of black preaching prominent in King’s “I Have a Dream Speech.” What are these three characteristics?

1) “_____________ Epistemology”

B) The first body section of the essay, “Epistemology of Slave Religion,” explains the ________________ epistemology. (“Epistemology” is just a big word that means “way of thinking”). In your own words, describe this epistemology.

C) Look at the second body section now: What is “voice merging,” and how does the “_______________ epistemology of the black folk pulpit” make voice merging possible (23)? In other words, what is the connection between “voice merging” and the epistemology you explained above in section B?

D) In voice merging, what kind of “self” is “made?” (Consider who all are included in the “self” the preacher creates when he says “ I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free.”) Who all are part of the preacher’s “I”?

E) The third body section offers some fascinating biographical information about Dr. King and his pastoral mentors. Since we’re interested in Miller’s essay as a rhetorical analysis, though, and not as a biographical narrative, we’ll skip over this section.

F) The foregoing sections of Miller’s essay have primarily been contextual. We haven’t gotten to any rhetorical analysis yet. Finally, in the fourth body section (“Voice Merging and Self-Making in ‘I Have a Dream’”) Miller at last begins to analyze King’s rhetoric. In other words, he begins to examine the structure of King’s speech, or he begins to explain the significance of repeated patterns he finds in King’s speech.

Explain, in your own words, how King’s statement “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” is an instance of voice merging. Also explain the nature of the “self” King “makes” in merging his voice with Amos’.

Rhetorical analysis is all about patterns and repetition, remember. What other instances of voice merging and hybrid self-making does Miller discuss in this section of his essay? Refer to these instances by quoting from King’s speech and/or Miller’s essay.

G) The fifth section (“My Country, Tis of Thee”) discusses King’s tactic of merging his voice and identity not with biblical authors, but with his American forefathers and African-American contemporaries.

With the author of what patriotic song does King merge his speaking persona?

With what near-contemporary African-American civic leader does King join his voice? What phrases/images does King borrow from this civic leader?

Note that King uses the voice-merging technique intentionally and self-consciously to promote a sense of unity and equality. We’ve seen him join his own voice with biblical and national forbearers. But at the end of his speech, he foresees a time when “all of God’s children” will be able to join their voices together and make one national American self when they sing two songs. What two songs are these?

One of these songs is a traditional (white) American patriotic song. The other is a song of African American slaves and civil rights protesters. What is the significance of the two songs merging, or of their singers merging? What is King’s Dream?