In his speech Lewis tailors his message to his audience to achieve his purpose, which is to encourage his audience to carry on King’s work for equality and justice. Speaking from the National Mall, which he calls “the front yard of the nation,” Lewis says that “each of us must continue to do our part to help build the Beloved Community.” Clearly, he is speaking to all Americans, not just the leaders present. His message is that King has inspired many people, including Lewis himself. That message includes references to King’s famous words as well as some words from the Declaration of Independence: “All men are created equal.” These words evoke powerful emotions in most Americans and help Lewis achieve his purpose.
