The letter of Birmingham Jail was written by Martin Luther King on April 16, 1963. His famous Letter from Birmingham offered a detailed response to the white moderate of his time, rebutting their claims that the direct actions of Kings cause, were untimely and unwise. Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored (King 274). He analyzed his opponents statements put forth then picks it apart backing up each little part with his collection of facts. King's primary rhetorical technique in "A Letter from Birmingham Jail," a characteristic of much of his writing, is the highly creative use of metaphorical language to make an abstract. - Use specific language that is appropriate to the audience and topic (connect with audience) - Use correct grammar and syntax Hi! The text includes numerous instances when the writer uses descriptive and metaphorical language to make his arguments more dynamic and appealing. Not only does he describe the brutality given by the cops he also describes the injustices done by the people and the community. King was in Birmingham Jail when he composed this response. He continues these connections all throughout his letter to further justify his actions, stating if these large political figures have done it in the past to voice their opinion and be heard than whats any different than him doing the same. King says having to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she cant go to the public amusement park, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told the fun town is closed to color children, and see ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky and see her beginning to distort her personality by developing an unconscious bitterness towards white people (King 275). Just expressing his background as a minister goes towards the development of ethos. Rhetorical Devices used in "Letter from Birmingham Jail" BY: Vitoria Domingues What is Ethos? As he refers to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego It was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. The most remarkable takeaway from this letter is Kings overall tone he keeps throughout as he could have approached his audience multiple different ways. Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs. 273284.. Even in closing, King says that his letter would have been much easier to compose, had he not been thrown in jail for peacefully protesting for the rights of people who he considers to be family. Additionally, King uses rhetorical questions to describe how activists think and make readers understand the logic behind the protests: we repeatedly asked o. His perspective was that of a disappointed, black man in America, who had been subjected to all sorts of racial discrimination and segregation through the span of his life. King also uses serious logical arguments throughout his letter as well, his letter states the facts of the situation going on in front of them in a way the clergymen failed to do. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. After reading "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", ask your students to do a scavenger hunt using the storyboard creator. The "letter of Birmingham Jail" was written by Martin Luther King on April 16, 1963. The clergy expresses unease at Kings willingness to break laws with his nonviolent protests. As he closes the letter by saying Let us hope in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty (King 284). The unfairness as they are seen as extremists, the activism of taking extreme measures, for their nonviolent direct-action protest just because they want the same freedom as whites. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case (King 274). As Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister who was inspired to use non-violent means in the civil rights movement by religious philosophy, it comes as no surprise that his letter is full of religious references. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire (King 277). King uses this appeal so that the audience understands that he knows what he is talking about. aimed at creating associations for the readers and to add further emphasis to the writers views. Each one of the arguments put onward by the clergymen MLK put down and refuted with facts that were undeniable. He said that he has watched his brothers and sisters be referred to as niggers and boys, be punched and kicked, lynched, burned, drowned, cursed, and brutalized. Unlock effective presentation skills (tips and best practices) March 2, 2023. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. King cited several examples of how blacks have had to endure pain for much too long. Who can say that the legislature of Alabama which set up that states segregation laws was democratically elected (King 277)? MLK wonders about the churches and why theyre not trying to help the black community in their struggle and support their movement, as Christians use to have moral and ethical power. Letter from Birmingham Jail Literary Devices Analysis - Storyboard That Who is the audience? He painted a picture of the violence they faced, the injustices, and brutality they had to endure. These references are even more relevant because the letter is a reply to criticism coming from clergymen. He does this by describing just and unjust laws from multiple different angles, in ways the reader could relate to. He continues to go on and on about the things they go through every day. In closing, he expresses his hope for a desegregated future of brotherhood and love. (2021, Jun 07). 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. In order to get people to agree with him on just vs. unjust laws he needs to do more than appeal to the readers pathos and ethos. King does this by opening his letter with his accomplishments such as being the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) which had 85 affiliate organizations all over the south. He says directly that he is not an outsider looking in. Lastly, he argues that it doesnt matter how admirable the police are when they are maintaining the immoral end of racial injustice. You can order an original essay written according to your instructions. His letter gives the philosophical foundations of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and does a good job by giving specific examples that appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos.
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