MLK Part 3

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1 Comprehension – Part 3 1. In paragraphs 10 and 11 (“You express a great deal of concern …”), King posits that sometimes it is permissible for us to break the law. How does use logos to make this argument? King uses logos to make this argument by stating that there are two different types of laws, just and unjust. He quotes St. Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber on how unjust laws are allowed to break because it degrades human potential. 2. At the beginning of paragraph 12 (“I hope you are able to see …), King is keen to re-establish a positive persona , having just argued that we may need to break law. How does he do this? King re-establishes a positive persona by saying that he highly respect laws and does not support the breaking of laws because that would lead to anarchy. However, he also expresses that those who chose to defy an unjust law must be willing to accept the potential consequences such as imprisonment. 3. In paragraph 13 (“Of course, there is nothing new ), what does he do? How does he connect with a white American audience at the end of this paragraph? In paragraph 13, King references several significant acts of civil disobedience that had occurred around the world. At the end of the paragraph, he connects with a white American audience by mentioning the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Tea Party was also an act of civil disobedience between white Americans and the British rule. 4. In paragraph 14 (“We should never forget …”), how does he use both logos and pathos to justify breaking the law in some circumstances? Which specific audience might he be appealing to in this paragraph? He uses logos and pathos by referring to the Holocaust and the Hungarian freedom fighters. King argues that the mass genocide of Jews in Germany was legal, but he would have help Jews if he was in Germany during that time. King also expresses that the actions of the Hungarian freedom fighters were illegal, but he would have been willing to partake in disobeying the country’s antireligious laws as well. These arguments evoke a feeling towards the audience so that feel like they should take action and break unjust laws so that reforms can take place. King might be appealing to the general public or activists in this paragraph. 5. In paragraph 15 (“I must make two honest confessions …”), King identifies a group of people who represent an obstacle to the civil rights movement. Which group is this, and how do they impede progress? This is the white moderate group. They impede progress by wanting order instead of justice, by agreeing to goals but unwilling to take direct action, and by stating that freedom/justice will be granted at a different time or “more convenient season”.

2 6. Can you find any examples of antithesis (putting opposites side by side) and anaphora (repeating the same phrasing for effect) in paragraph 15?  Antithesis: o “Negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.” o “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direst action.”  Anaphora: o “Who…” 7. How would you describe the tone at the beginning of paragraph 16 (“You spoke of our activity)? I would describe the tone as reasoned and respectful. 8. In what difficult position does King find himself in paragraph 16 (“You spoke of our …”)? King finds himself “in the middle of two forces in the Negro community.” One of the forces are Negroes who faced extreme amounts of oppression to the point where they no longer care about themselves or the segregation problems that arises. The other force consists of Negroes who are mad, angry, and frustrated on the injustices. 9. Although King denies this, some might consider his tone threatening in paragraph 17 (“The Negro has many pent-up resentments …”). Why? What is he saying? His tone can be considered threatening because it makes the reader feel obligated to allow the Negroes express their emotions in nonviolent ways or else it will become violent direct action. What King is trying to say is: let the Negroes communicate through nonviolent action. 10. What is the tone of paragraph 18 (“In spite of my shattered dreams …”) and 19 (“I have heard”)? The tone is disappointment and sadness. 11. What persona does King adopt in paragraph 20 (“I hope this letter …”), and which audience does he prioritize? King adopts a professional, inclusive, and optimistic persona. He prioritizes the clergymen audience. 12. In paragraph 20, there are three more examples of figurative language similar to “the dark shadow of deep disappointment” in paragraph 5. Can you find them? 1. “Dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away.” 2. “The deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities.” 3. “The radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation.”

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