The play centers on the life and ideological struggle of Martin Luther King Jr. as he navigates the escalating tensions of the American Civil Rights movement. Through a dramatic framework, the narrative explores King's commitment to non-violent resistance in the face of systemic oppression and physical danger. The protagonist must reconcile his personal safety with the demands of a movement that requires total sacrifice. The play utilizes a series of vignettes to illustrate the logical and moral constraints imposed by the political climate of the era, focusing on the tension between individual conscience and collective action.

Discussion often centers on the play's effectiveness in translating complex historical events into a performative medium. Readers frequently highlight the stark, direct language used to convey the gravity of the Civil Rights struggle. The work is noted for its focus on the internal conflict of its central figure rather than purely external action. Critics often observe that the play serves as a pedagogical tool for understanding the ethical dilemmas faced by activists during the 1960s. The balance between historical accuracy and dramatic license remains a frequent point of analysis for those studying the intersection of theater and social history.