to persuade his listeners of the importance of equal rights
The excerpt begins with the statement about cherishing equal rights of all citizens. It then talks about how discrimination is still occurring. He then pledges to end segregation in all places where he has the power to do so: Washington D.C., Federal Government, and the Armed Forces. The excerpt does not include and laws, work the military has done, or calls for presidential votes.
I believe it was the age of using Humanism in art and literature. Tell me if you want more of an explanation.
The answer is Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony happens when the audience has knowledge of something that the characters have no idea with. On this note, the script of the characters becomes somewhat different in meaning. This makes the scene either intensely suspense or humorous.
