Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King Jr., activist and leader, in his letter, Letter from Birmingham Jail, argued and emphasized why nonviolent direct action was not extreme when it came to dealing with racial tension in Alabama.  His letter was a well written and well thought out response to the clergymen's statement, Call to Unity, a statement that claimed that nonviolent direct action was extreme.  King’s purpose for writing his response was to persuade his audience, the clergymen/white moderates, that their thoughts on how he approached and handled racial tension were ill-judged.  He successfully got his point across in his response by using rhetorical modes of Logos, Ethos, and Pathos using biblical comparisons, explanations about his cause, and personal stories.

On Good Friday, April 12, 1963, The police arrested and jailed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers for demonstrating against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. That same day, the local newspaper published a statement by eight prominent white Alabama clergymen that portrayed Dr. King as an outside agitator whose actions incite hatred and violence and as a result, urged the African American citizens of Birmingham to withdraw their support for the demonstrations and instead rely on the courts and negotiation the achieve change. Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” responds to this criticism and serves to awaken the American conscience to the injustice and marginalization that African Americans suffered in Birmingham, Alabama.

In paragraphs 12-14 of “Letter From Birmingham Jail”, Dr. King begins addressing the clergymen’s belief that the peaceful demonstrations conducted by him and his associates were untimely. King starts answering questions frequently heard by opposing or moderate forces, as well as essentially denouncing the resistance to desegregation. King then introduced the relationship between the oppressor and the oppressed; concluding that the oppressor is not inclined to act on things that do not directly affect them. Therefore, providing a platform of his argument as to why blacks could no longer wait to be given their basic human rights. Action needed to take place because fair treatment was no longer a hope to be given, it had to be taken.

The ability to write a powerful persuasive piece results from total awareness of available rhetorical devices as well as inspiration and determination. Over the course of “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, the author Martin Luther King Jr., demonstrates that he can effectively employ the use of rhetoric elements. The rhetorical strategy and context are two vital literary elements within a piece of writing that can be used to make a strong argument while appealing to the audience. King uses a combination of rhetorical techniques to rebut the criticisms of his fellow Clergymen about the nature of the Birmingham protests. King uses quotes from past civil rights leaders and vivid metaphors/similes to make a persuasive argument. He also uses

During the 1960’s, racism was still a prominent problem in America. The Civil Rights Movement was under way. African Americans were fighting for their basic human rights. One of the most notable figures of the Civil Rights Movement was Martin Luther King Jr. He fought for African American’s rights using nonviolent resistance; however, during a protest in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. King was thrown into jail. While in his jail cell, Dr. King wrote a letter to clergymen from the Birmingham jail claiming his stance on peaceful confrontation on defending African American’s human rights. In his letter, Dr. King uses rhetorical devices to strengthen his argument in his letter to the clergymen. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “A Letter From Birmingham Jail,” depicts the fight for equality by African Americans during the civil rights movement. In this letter, King uses tone, rhetorical questions, and allusions to discuss the racial segregation sweeping the nation. King’s letter is a response to “A Call For Unity,” a condemning message written by eight white clergymen who frowned upon the peaceful protests conducted by many African Americans. Although Dr. King is presently seen as an American hero, during the civil rights movement he was simply seen as just another negro attempting to break the social norm. “A Letter From Birmingham Jail,” counters the arguments made by the clergymen in a very effective way by appealing to their

Martin Luther King, Jr, a nonviolent and orderly protestor, was imprisioned for twenty four hours for disobeying what he believed to be an unjust law which forbade public demonstrations. In his writing, Letter From Birmingham Jail, he adresses local clergyman's claims about how civil rights activism should be carried out, breaks down their claims, and refutes them. King explains that white moderates are more devoted to order than to justice, and although he typically respects the law, it was unjust, discriminotory laws similar to the ones he opposed that made aiding a Jew in any way illegal under Hitler's rule. King's letter is excellently written, easily understandable, and uses strong rhetorical devices to discuss his beliefs and justify his actions. It is important to remember to be critical of laws that may be unjust, and not to follow them simply because they are laws bestowed upon us by an authority.

In April 1963, the city of Birmingham, Alabama, was caught in the midst of massive civil rights protests. Protestors advocating for desegregation brought the city to a halt with widespread disruptive yet peaceful protests. After a circuit court placed an injunction against protesting, parading and picketing King was arrested for his involvement. While in jail King received a letter written by eight Alabama clergymen criticizing King for his disruptive protests and the breaking of laws which lead to his arrest. In response King wrote an open letter explaining his actions that would be known as “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. In his letter Dr. King effectively addresses an unsympathetic audience by focusing on building his credibility rather than seeking an emotional response.

King’s salutation establishes his credibility by proving that he knows his audience and purpose, and it immediately reveals that his goal is to justify his position and not unleash a vicious attack on the clergymen. This simple salutation makes the audience more open to his thoughts, as they realize that the goal isn’t to vilify. His immediate audience is the Birmingham clergymen, and his broader audience is the group of white segregationists. In addition, one of his main points in the article is unity, and addressing the clergymen in this manner emphasizes that theme from the beginning.

Each essayist has some kind of drive when composing a bit of work. Regardless of whether that drive originates from an innovative source or the need to demonstrate a point, it exists. For Martin Luther King Jr. that drive was the need to put a conclusion to racial treachery that appeared to be all around. Martin Luther King Jr's. "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is an impeccable illustration. "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was King's reaction to eight priests' "A Call for Unity." His drive originated from the pastors' unjustifiable suggestions and allegations. This letter permitted King to propose a rejoinder as well as to legitimize his own particular common insubordination, and additionally

Not only is the diction strong here, but this statement is a metaphor. King is talking about the Negroes hearing the word “wait”. The Negroes have waited quite long for their rights and freedoms, but every time they think something will change, the word “wait” pops up. The metaphor is to describe the recurrence of there always having to be a wait for something to change. As we can see from the use of these rhetorical strategies, King strongly wants a change to all of this segregation nonsense and of course the Negroes do as well.

Used as an appeal to emotion, logic and a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader by reason, Martin Luther King clearly used ETHOS throughout his article in a series of multiple ways. With this in mind, after many readings of King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, I was able to identify countless examples of ETHOS. Quoted, “ I hope will be considered, patient and reasonable terms” (para1), King was wanting to express his feelings towards others, as well as, the use of appropriate language by using words such as patient and reasonable. By using these terms, these two words shows a professionalism that

King urges the clergymen to support peaceful protests before years of oppression turn into violence. King emphasizes that anyone who is trapped has a burning desire to be free, for “oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever.” Similar to a bomb, these African Americans will soon emotionally explode, hurting both themselves and the people around them. King urges the clergymen to support the non-violent protests by exposing the threat of a violent confrontation. Furthermore, King additionally accentuates the idea of rebellion as he states, “the yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself… something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be

King combines the use of ethos and pathos as he compares himself and the rights of men to religious backgrounds. His first comparison is with the Apostle Paul, where Paul had “carried the gospel of Jesus Christ,” as to Kings carrying of “the gospel of freedom.” King addresses this similarity to show why he felt committed to go to Birmingham, because like Paul, he needed to respond as an aid to his people. Towards the end of Kings letter; he exemplifies courageousness in the Negro demonstrations by relating them to the actions of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they refused to follow what they believed to be unjust laws. Saying that if they are supposed heroes by going against unjust laws, why shouldn't the people see Negro demonstrators the same way? They are also God's children and by those disobedience’s, they were really showing the grace of God. These connections to religion supports their fighting against unjust laws as a divine cause.

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, King discusses the importance of civil disobedience being performed. King is confined in the Birmingham city jail and decides to respond to the criticisms of his fellow clergymen although he often does not acknowledge such statements. King’s understanding of civil disobedience is clearly reflected in his use of rhetoric and includes violating the law in peaceful terms to protest unjust laws and circumstances.