Comparison of “Three Cups of Tea” and “I Have a Dream”

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main Body
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

In the course of human history there have been a lot of people whose contribution to the development of society could hardly be exaggerated. These people were not concentrated on their own interests and aspirations. They had wider outlook and their goals and aspirations concerned their fellow citizens or even the whole humanity. Due to their kind and active souls that knew no rest, these people have managed to change society and this was the reason why their contribution has been appreciated greatly. It is a noble thing: to do something for your people, not for your own sake, to do something for the whole humanity is even nobler. This desire to make all people equal and happy can be traced in two seemingly different literary sources by Martin Luther King and Greg Mortenson. Thus, the main task of the present work is to compare the most outstanding speech in American History, “I Have a Dream”, by Martin Luther King and the book “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson on the basis of their relation to education and success.

Main Body

A few words about the authors and their motivation

In the first place, it is necessary to present a few words about the authors and their motivation that led them in their creation of the works. The life and work of Martin Luther King has always been treated as the example of an active, just, and inimitable man of genius and courage. He is called a “heroic figure”, “a leader” who developed “his ability to address injustice” and a person “prepared to face the price of unpopularity” (Ling 5). Martin Luther King was trying to reach the top of the mountain of racial prejudices in order to make all American citizens equal, and this ascend is similar to Mortenson’s ascend. Greg Mortenson had tried to reach the top of mountain literary “in honor of his sister” (Boerema 14) and later he tried to conquer the mountain of illiteracy and cultural stagnation in Pakistan. Thus, both authors were trying to improve living conditions of people, King was struggling against oppression of black people, Mortenson was trying to help people who were not his fellow-countrymen at all, he was driven by compassion of human beings on the whole. Thus, the authors shared the goals of one nature. However, there are several important differences between their works.

The factor of education

The role of Education in “Three Cups Of Tea”

Analyzing the attitude of the authors to education, it is necessary to state that in “Three Cups of Tea” education is the core of the book. Mortenson implied that “the third cup of tea” in Korphe made the village dwellers his family according to the saying we drink the cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything – even die (Kauffman 34).

The importance of education for Martin Luther King

It is natural to mean well by your family, to make everything in order that your family could become happy. It is especially necessary if your family lives in a village that has “the scent of juniper woodsmoke and unwashed humanity” (Mortenson and Relin 24). It is especially necessary if your family lives in the country that is oppressed and suffers from terrorist groups. Mortenson experienced genuine kind human nature of the Pakistanis and the fact that he wanted to pay them back with the help of education a very bright fact. It means that he attributed the greatest role to education in human society. It was the starting point of everything for him. Education as presented in “Three Cups of Tea” is the secret of happiness; it is powerful enough to struggle against terrorism, because “the enemy is ignorance” (Mortenson and Relin 297). Education can establish equality and friendly relationship among people; this is the main message of the book.

Success as presented in the analyzed works

In fact, equality and friendly relationship among people is the goal of Martin Luther King as well but he does not mention education in his speech “I Have a Dream”. The reason for this is that he does not want to suggest the ways how to establish equality; his main aim is to awaken people and to show them that it is necessary to act. The plan of action will be his next step. However, to prove the importance of education for King, it is possible to quote the following idea of his: “Though education we seek to change attitudes … Through education we seek to break down the spiritual barriers to integration” (King 40).

The key to success in “I Have a Dream”

As for the key to success in “I Have a Dream”, it should be stated that the whole American nation will become successful as soon as all citizens become equal. This is the essence of democracy. In order to become successful and harmonious, America should eliminate such signs as “For Whites Only” (King unpaged). The key to success is in the Dream. The most important thing is that King’s dream “is deeply rooted in the American dream” (King unpaged). As soon as the dream of America and black people coincide, everyone will become happy.

The key to success in “Three Cups of Tea”

In comparison with King’s speech, in which the ideas are presented directly and in concise form, Mortenson’s book is much more longer, but it also narrates about success. It also concerns American people who suffer from terrorism. It also tries to awaken them just as King does several decades ago. The book inspires Americans to act because action is the key to success. The example is set by Mortenson already, and if Americans understand that they can become successful if they help other people, the dream of equality will come true.

Conclusion

Drawing a conclusion, it is possible to state that no matter how large is the gap between the speech and the book that are analyzed, both of them present the same idea: the necessity of equality of people. The authors offer their ideas of success that coincide. However, while King is trying to awaken and motivate people, Mortinson suggests concrete actions, the struggle against ignorance.

Works Cited

Boerema, Amy. “‘We Have to Live in Hope’ Author Promotes Peace, Tolerance through Education in Pakistan, Afghanistan.” Daily Herald. 2007: 14.

Kauffman, Richard A. “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations… One School at a Time.” The Christian Century. 125.15. (2008): 35.

King, Coretta Scott. The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. NY: Newmarket Press, 2008.

King, Martin Luther Jr. I Have a Dream. 1963.

Ling, Peter John. Martin Luther King, Jr. NY: Routledge, 2002.

Mortenson, Greg, and David Oliver Relin. Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations… One School at a Time. USA: Viking Penguin, 2006.

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