Also, the If . Rev., 26, 835. Just as Kants magnum opus, Critique of Pure Reason, attempted to completely upend a previously accepted mode of thought, so also was Kings work devoted to a single objective: the protection of civil disobedience as a form of protest such that the Civil Rights Movement could continue in uncompromised form. All rights reserved. The public letter as a rhetorical form: Structure, logic, and style in kings letter from Birmingham jail. In his letter, Dr. King informed his readers about the protests in Birmingham. King points out that the newly elected mayor of the city, like the previous incumbent, is in favour of racial segregation and thus wishes to preserve the political status quo so far as race is concerned. The emphasis throughout is non nonviolent action, or peaceful protest, which King favours rather than violent acts such as rioting (which, he points out, will alienate many Americans who might otherwise support the cause for racial integration). Dr. King wanted to end segregation and he also wanted equal rights for everyone, but he was told by the clergyman that the movement was "unwise" and "untimely". Letter from Birmingham Jail Summary & Analysis Next Themes Themes and Colors Key Summary Analysis Martin Luther King, Jr. directs his letter to the eight white clergymen who publicly condemned his actions in Birmingham, Alabama. Letter from Birmingham Jail rhetorical devices. One of Kings central points in this letter is that moderation is not a politically prudent tactic, especially when African Americans find themselves in the kind of physical, emotional, and psychological danger that he described earlier. Please check it and try again. Letter from Birmingham Jail: Symbols, Motifs, and Rhetorical Devices The other is examples from American history: Abraham Lincoln (who issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War, a century before King was writing) and Thomas Jefferson (who drafted the words to the Declaration of Independence, including the statement that all men are created equal). Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. A Summary and Analysis of Martin Luther King's 'Letter from Birmingham Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the letter from jail, after he got arrested during a peaceful protest. He says, Was not Jesus an extremist for love was not Amos an extremist for justice.. was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel was not Martin Luther an extremist and John Bunyan and Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. Kings appeal to logos in this quote is very effective because it has an impact on his target audience white preachers. King and his followers are preparing for direct [], The Letter from Birmingham Jail played a very vital role in the civil rights movement. Dr. King includes many biblical references in his writing to compare the similarities between actions in the bible and his. His anecdote about his daughter presents the human side of a heavily politicized issue. He provides several examples of the quiet courage shown by those who had engaged in nonviolent protest in the South. That is the ultimate goal to bring about a better world for those under persecution and create an equal, just future for America as a whole. He knows that comparing the protesters to the early Christians places his critics in the role of the enemies of freedom. mscheneylovessloths Teacher. Carmen_Brooks8 Teacher. Classical Rhetoric Revisited. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse and buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter. This technique consists of repeating a specific word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or passages. (including. Devices in "Letter from Birmingham Jail". Throughout the work, Letter from Bimingham Jail, Martin Luther constantly uses examples from historical figures in order to unite his argument that action must be taken in order to end discrimination and segregation. In his praise, King shows his confidence in the righteousness of his cause and his belief that while he may not see the end of segregation, he knows history will be on his side. King Jr. was jailed for his role in the United States. refuse to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together. This emotional and descriptive narrative combined with the use of the second person you have a very strong effect. The author shows that he is bold and in control of his actions even though he is not happy with the way his people are being treated. So instead of the view that law and justice are synonymous, Letter from Birmingham Jail is a powerful argument for obeying a higher moral law rather than manmade laws which suit those in power. Mre precisely, however, it's effective appliance can be seen in paragraph 15. Letter from Birmingham City Jail Latest answer posted April 21, 2021 at 10:14:06 PM What definition of "extremist" does King use when he gladly accepts the label in his Letter from Birmingham Jail? One is Christian examples: Jesus, St. Paul, and Amos, the Old Testament prophet, are all mentioned, with King drawing parallels between their actions and those of the civil rights activists participating in direct action. A historical allusion King uses is on page 286 paragraph 16 Martin Luther King Jr. states. They label King as an extremist. Kings stance unapologetically censures the message from the church, asking if it is the true will of God. Let us write you an essay from scratch, Order a custom essay from our writers and get it on time, Pathos, Logos, Ethos in Letter From Birmingham Jail Essay, Letter from Birmingham Jail: the Rhetorical Analysis Essay, Depiction Of The Injustices Of Birmingham In Martin Luther King Jrs Letter From Birmingham Jail Essay, Application of Pathos, Ethos, and Logos in The Letter from Birmingham Jail Essay, Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jrs Letter From Birmingham Jail Essay, A Comparison of "Civil Disobedience" and "Letter from Birmingham Jail" Essay, Analysis Of Pathos, Ethos, And Logos In The Letter From Birmingham Jail Essay, "I Have a Dream" Rhetorical Analysis Essay, The Influence of Malcolm X on Ta-Nehisi Coates Essay, Fulkerson, R. P. (1979).