letter from birmingham jail rhetorical essay

“Letter From Birmingham Jail” Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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Below, you may read MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” rhetorical analysis. It looks at different techniques, appeals, and methods used by the author in his work.

Introduction

On April 19, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) wrote a detailed letter from Birmingham Jail in reply to some public releases which were directed at undermining his fight for civil equality. Most of the Martin Luther statements were very rhetorical, whereby he employed Aristotle’s kinds of persuasion to convince his audience. He made use of ethos, pathos, and logos, which are directed towards his own reputation and wisdom, to have the attention of the audience and to have the logic of influential thinkers, respectively. This “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Rhetorical Analysis Essay aims at defining a list of rhetorical devices used in the letter with examples.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” Rhetorical Analysis of the First Paragraphs

Rhetorical devices are present from the first paragraph. In his efforts to promote civil rights on behalf of the American community, he starts by explaining his state of confinement in the jail, which is a clear indication of how the poor are suffering in the hands of an unjust society. He further states that he would wish to respond to their recent statements that his activities are unwise and untimely. This is meant to let the clergymen understand that Martin Luther King Jr. was well aware of their mind.

He proceeds to say that if he decided to look at each criticism that comes through his office, he would have no time for his work. In this statement, Luther King wants to let his critics know that his civil rights work is far much significant than the criticism they have been directing towards him and that they would rather concentrate on their work since he has no time to direct towards their attacks. He also terms their criticism as genuine and set forth as a way of showing them that he can understand the reason behind their criticism.

He further indicates in the second paragraph the fact that the clergymen have an issue with outsiders coming into the city, whereby he intends to let them know that though they are against him, many are on his side since he states that it was an invitation.

This again appears in the fourth paragraph, where he says that as long as a person is within the United States, no one should claim that he is an outsider. He also states that “I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian leadership conference” (King 1) to show them he equally holds a religious leadership position as they do, and he has the right to exercise his faith.

What Type of Appeal Is Martin Luther King, Jr. Using from the Third to Fifth Paragraphs?

In the third paragraph, he likens himself with Paul to make it clear that he is a prophet of freedom and liberation, just like Paul. Claiming that he has been sent by Jesus shows that he has a very high authority in the religious field, and though people may be against him, God is on his side. Just as Jesus sent his disciples all over the world to take the gospel, Martin Luther makes it clear that he came to Birmingham due to the injustice that was prevailing.

In the fourth paragraph, Martin Luther says that “moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states” (King 2). He wanted to have his audience understand that he belonged to the congregation of the elites, and he has sufficient wisdom to put his opinions across. When he mentions the city’s white power structure, he wanted to trigger the mind of his critics who were only concerned with the demonstrations that were taking place rather than the reason behind these demonstrations.

In the fifth paragraph, he proceeds to mention that “the ugly records of brutality” (King 2) in Birmingham are widely known. This further insisted that his critics were less concerned with the more critical issues such as injustice that Negroes were facing in the city by trying to hinder those who were fighting for this justice. It is evident since even after he had taken the legal steps towards all his activities, he was still being discriminated against.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” Rhetorical Analysis from the Seventh to Fourteenth Paragraphs

In the seventh paragraph, he states that ‘we were victims of a broken promise’ to show that regardless of the agreement they had made earlier on to remove any sign of racial discrimination, the rest were not concerned apart from his assembly. In paragraph eight, he says that “our hopes had been blasted and the shadows of deep disappointment settled upon us” (King 4).

This shows that the King would recognize the faults but does not wish to blame anyone. The phrase “that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood” (King 4) was meant to unite all people in the fight against racism.

Rhetorical Analysis of the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” shows that In the fourteenth paragraph, King uses his logical, non-threatening appeal to show the urgency of his civil right actions in the city. He puts it clear that people have endured long enough and that there are now becoming impatient with the way events are unfolding every day. He supports his argument in the next paragraph, where he puts it across that they have been governed by a combination of unjust and just law whereby there is a need to separate the two.

The above discussion is just but a few of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” rhetorical appeals representations. Throughout his letter, King uses strong, almost unquestionable logic that makes his piece of writing very outstanding due to its unique method of development.

King Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail . Stanford University, 1964. Web.

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Bibliography

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A Summary and Analysis of Martin Luther King’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ is Martin Luther King’s most famous written text, and rivals his most celebrated speech, ‘ I Have a Dream ’, for its political importance and rhetorical power.

King wrote this open letter in April 1963 while he was imprisoned in the city jail in Birmingham, Alabama. When he read a statement issued in the newspaper by eight of his fellow clergymen, King began to compose his response, initially writing it in the margins of the newspaper article itself.

In ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’, King answers some of the criticisms he had received from the clergymen in their statement, and makes the case for nonviolent action to bring about an end to racial segregation in the South. You can read the letter in full here if you would like to read King’s words before reading on to our summary of his argument, and analysis of the letter’s meaning and significance.

‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’: summary

The letter is dated 16 April 1963. King begins by addressing his ‘fellow clergymen’ who wrote the statement published in the newspaper. In this statement, they had criticised King’s political activities ‘unwise and untimely’. King announces that he will respond to their criticisms because he believes they are ‘men of genuine good will’.

King outlines why he is in Birmingham: as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he was invited by an affiliate group in Birmingham to engage in a non-violent direct-action program: he accepted. When the time came, he honoured his promise and came to Birmingham to support the action.

But there is a bigger reason for his travelling to Birmingham: because injustice is found there, and, in a famous line, King asserts: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ The kind of direction action King and others have engaged in around Birmingham is a last resort because negotiations have broken down and promises have been broken.

When there is no alternative, direct action – such as sit-ins and marches – can create what King calls a ‘tension’ which will mean that a community which previously refused to negotiate will be forced to come to the negotiating table. King likens this to the ‘tension’ in the individual human mind which Socrates, the great classical philosopher, fostered through his teachings.

Next, King addresses the accusation that the action he and others are taking in Birmingham is ‘untimely’. 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. As King observes, privileged people seldom give up their privileges voluntarily: hence the need for nonviolent pressure.

King now turns to the question of law-breaking. How can he and others justify breaking the law? He quotes St. Augustine, who said that ‘an unjust law is no law at all.’ A just law uplifts human personality and is consistent with the moral law and God’s law. An unjust law degrades human personality and contradicts the moral law (and God’s law). Because segregation encourages one group of people to view themselves as superior to another group, it is unjust.

He also asserts that he believes the greatest stumbling-block to progress is not the far-right white supremacist but the ‘white moderate’ who are wedded to the idea of ‘order’ in the belief that order is inherently right. King points out both in the Bible (the story of Shadrach and the fiery furnace ) and in America’s own colonial history (the Boston Tea Party ) people have practised a form of ‘civil disobedience’, breaking one set of laws because a higher law was at stake.

King addresses the objection that his actions, whilst nonviolent themselves, may encourage others to commit violence in his name. He rejects this argument, pointing out that this kind of logic (if such it can be called) can be extended to all sorts of scenarios. Do we blame a man who is robbed because his possession of wealth led the robber to steal from him?

The next criticism which King addresses is the notion that he is an extremist. He contrasts his nonviolent approach with that of other African-American movements in the US, namely the black nationalist movements which view the white man as the devil. King points out that he has tried to steer a path between extremists on either side, but he is still labelled an ‘extremist’.

He decides to own the label, and points out that Jesus could be regarded as an ‘extremist’ because, out of step with the worldview of his time, he championed love of one’s enemies.

Other religious figures, as well as American political figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson, might be called ‘extremists’ for their unorthodox views (for their time). Jefferson, for example, was considered an extremist for arguing, in the opening words to the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal. ‘Extremism’ doesn’t have to mean one is a violent revolutionary: it can simply denote extreme views that one holds.

King expresses his disappointment with the white church for failing to stand with him and other nonviolent activists campaigning for an end to racial segregation. People in the church have made a variety of excuses for not supporting racial integration.

The early Christian church was much more prepared to fight for what it believed to be right, but it has grown weak and complacent. Rather than being disturbers of the peace, many Christians are now upholders of the status quo.

Martin Luther King concludes his letter by arguing that he and his fellow civil rights activists will achieve their freedom, because the goal of America as a nation has always been freedom, going back to the founding of the United States almost two centuries earlier. He provides several examples of the quiet courage shown by those who had engaged in nonviolent protest in the South.

‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’: analysis

Martin Luther King’s open letter written from Birmingham Jail is one of the most famous open letters in the world. It is also a well-known defence of the notion of civil disobedience, or refusing to obey laws which are immoral or unjust, often through peaceful protest and collective action.

King answers each of the clergymen’s objections in turn, laying out his argument in calm, rational, but rhetorically brilliant prose. 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).

In this, Martin Luther King was greatly influenced by the example of Mahatma Gandhi , who had led the Indian struggle for independence earlier in the twentieth century, advocating for nonviolent resistance to British rule in India. Another inspiration for King was Henry David Thoreau, whose 1849 essay ‘ Civil Disobedience ’ called for ordinary citizens to refuse to obey laws which they consider unjust.

This question of what is a ‘just’ law and what is an ‘unjust’ law is central to King’s defence of his political approach as laid out in the letter from Birmingham Jail. He points out that everything Hitler did in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s was ‘legal’, because the Nazis changed the laws to suit their ideology and political aims. But this does not mean that what they did was moral : quite the opposite.

Similarly, it would have been ‘illegal’ to come to the aid of a Jew in Nazi Germany, but King states that he would have done so, even though, by helping and comforting a Jewish person, he would have been breaking the law. 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.

But ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ is also notable for the thoughtful and often surprising things King does with his detractors’ arguments. For instance, where we might expect him to object to being called an ‘extremist’, he embraces the label, observing that some of the most pious and peaceful figures in history have been ‘extremists’ of one kind of another. But they have called for extreme love, justice, and tolerance, rather than extreme hate, division, or violence.

Similarly, King identifies white moderates as being more dangerous to progress than white nationalists, because they believe in ‘order’ rather than ‘justice’ and thus they can sound rational and sympathetic even as they stand in the way of racial integration and civil rights. As with the ‘extremist’ label, King’s position here may take us by surprise, but he backs up his argument carefully and provides clear reasons for his stance.

There are two main frames of reference in the letter. 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.

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).

Both Christianity and America have personal significance for King, who was a reverend as well as a political campaigner and activist. But these frames of reference also establish a common ground between both him and the clergymen he addresses, and, more widely, with many other Americans who will read the open letter.

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Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

• Rachel R.N.
• July 29, 2024
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Literature Analysis

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is one of the most important documents of the American Civil Rights Movement. King wrote this letter in 1963 while he was in jail for leading non-violent protests against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. The letter was a response to criticism from eight white clergymen who had called King’s actions “unwise and untimely.”

In this analysis, we’ll look at how King used different rhetorical techniques to make his argument powerful and convincing. We’ll explore his use of ethos, pathos, and logos, as well as other writing strategies that make this letter so effective.

What You'll Learn

Background and Context

Before we dive into the analysis, it’s important to understand the situation in which King wrote this letter:

• In the early 1960s, racial segregation was still common in the Southern United States.
• Birmingham, Alabama was known as one of the most segregated cities in America.
• King and other civil rights leaders organized protests in Birmingham to fight against segregation.
• King was arrested on April 12, 1963, for participating in these protests.
• While in jail, he read a newspaper article where eight white clergymen criticized the protests.
• King wrote his letter in response to this criticism, addressing it to these clergymen but intending for a much wider audience.

Understanding this context helps us appreciate why King wrote the letter and why he chose certain arguments and techniques.

Rhetorical Strategies

1. ethos: establishing credibility.

Ethos refers to the writer’s credibility or authority on the subject. King uses several techniques to establish his ethos:

Personal Experience

King starts by explaining why he’s in Birmingham: “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.” He then details his role as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, showing he has a legitimate reason to be involved in Birmingham’s civil rights struggle.

Example: “I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty-five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights.”

Religious Authority

As a minister writing to fellow clergymen, King frequently uses biblical references and religious language. This reminds readers of his position as a religious leader and appeals to shared Christian values.

Example: “Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their ‘thus saith the Lord’ far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town.”

Historical Knowledge

King demonstrates his broad knowledge of history, philosophy, and law throughout the letter. This shows he’s well-educated and has thought deeply about these issues.

Example: “We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights.”

2. Pathos: Appealing to Emotions

Pathos involves appealing to the reader’s emotions. King uses several techniques to evoke emotional responses:

Vivid Imagery

King paints powerful word pictures to help readers visualize the injustices faced by Black Americans.

Example: “But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters…”

Personal Stories

King shares personal experiences and the experiences of others to make the abstract idea of injustice more concrete and relatable.

Example: “When you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can’t go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children…”

Emotional Language

King uses words and phrases that evoke strong feelings, particularly when describing the effects of racism and the urgency of action.

Example: “There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair.”

3. Logos: Logical Argumentation

Logos refers to the use of logic and reason in making an argument. King employs several logical techniques:

Addressing Counterarguments

King anticipates and responds to potential criticisms of his actions, showing he’s considered multiple viewpoints.

Example: “You may well ask: ‘Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn’t negotiation a better path?’ You are quite right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action.”

Cause and Effect Reasoning

King explains how certain actions lead to specific results, helping readers understand the logic behind the protests.

Example: “Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.”

Historical Examples

King uses historical events and figures to support his arguments, showing that his ideas are part of a larger historical context.

Example: “We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was ‘legal’ and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was ‘illegal.'”

4. Rhetorical Questions

King frequently uses rhetorical questions to engage the reader and prompt reflection.

Example: “Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?”

5. Repetition and Parallel Structure

King uses repetition and parallel structure to emphasize key points and create a rhythmic, memorable quality to his writing.

Example: “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”

6. Metaphors and Analogies

King uses metaphors and analogies to explain complex ideas in more relatable terms.

Example: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

Key Arguments in the Letter

Now that we’ve looked at the rhetorical techniques King used, let’s examine some of the main arguments he makes in the letter:

1. The Urgency of Action

King argues that the time for waiting is over. He explains that Black Americans have been patient for centuries, but that patience in the face of continued injustice is no longer a virtue.

Example: “For years now I have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never.’ We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.'”

2. The Interconnectedness of Communities

King challenges the idea that he’s an “outsider” in Birmingham, arguing that injustice anywhere affects people everywhere.

Example: “I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

3. The Morality of Breaking Unjust Laws

King makes a crucial distinction between just and unjust laws, arguing that while one has a moral responsibility to obey just laws, one also has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.

Example: “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”

4. The Disappointment with White Moderates

King expresses his frustration with white moderates who understand the protesters’ goals but disagree with their methods. He argues that this moderate stance actually hinders progress more than outright opposition.

Example: “I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice.”

5. The Role of Tension in Creating Change

King argues that nonviolent direct action is necessary to create the kind of tension that forces a community to confront and address injustice.

6. The Connection Between Racial and Economic Justice

King points out that the struggle for civil rights is deeply connected to economic issues, highlighting the poverty faced by many Black Americans.

Example: “The Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.”

Impact and Legacy of the Letter

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” had a significant impact when it was published and continues to be influential today:

• It became a key text of the Civil Rights Movement, articulating the moral basis for civil rights protests.
• The letter helped to shift public opinion in favor of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly among white moderates.
• It’s now considered a classic work of protest literature and is widely taught in schools and universities.
• The letter’s arguments about just and unjust laws have influenced thinking about civil disobedience and social justice movements worldwide.
• King’s writing style in the letter, blending scholarly references with powerful emotional appeals, has been studied and emulated by many writers and speakers.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a masterpiece of persuasive writing. Through his skilled use of ethos, pathos, and logos, along with other rhetorical techniques, King crafted a powerful argument for racial justice and nonviolent resistance. The letter not only responded to his immediate critics but also articulated a vision of justice and equality that continues to inspire people around the world.

By analyzing this letter, we can learn a great deal about effective communication, moral argumentation, and the power of words to inspire change. King’s letter reminds us that skillful rhetoric, when paired with moral conviction and a just cause, can have a profound and lasting impact on society.

Related Articles

“Letter From Birmingham Jail” Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Of Dr. King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail ‘

• Q: Why is the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” considered so important? A: The letter is important because it eloquently explains the reasons for nonviolent protest against racial injustice, addresses criticisms of the Civil Rights Movement, and makes a powerful moral case for racial equality. It became a key text of the Civil Rights Movement and is now considered a classic work of protest literature.
• Q: What are the main rhetorical strategies King uses in the letter? A: King uses a combination of ethos (establishing credibility), pathos (appealing to emotions), and logos (using logic and reason). He also employs techniques like rhetorical questions, repetition, metaphors, and vivid imagery.
• Q: How does King establish his credibility (ethos) in the letter? A: King establishes credibility by explaining his role as a civil rights leader, demonstrating his knowledge of history and philosophy, and using his position as a minister to appeal to shared religious values.
• Q: What is King’s argument about just and unjust laws? A: King argues that while we have a moral responsibility to obey just laws, we also have a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. He defines a just law as one that uplifts human personality and an unjust law as one that degrades human personality.
• Q: How does King use emotional appeal (pathos) in his letter? A: King uses pathos through vivid descriptions of racial injustice, personal stories, and emotive language that helps readers understand the pain and urgency of the civil rights struggle.
• Q: What does King mean when he expresses disappointment with the “white moderate”? A: King argues that the white moderate, who sympathizes with the goal of racial equality but criticizes the methods of protest, is actually a greater stumbling block to progress than outright opponents. He believes their desire for order over justice slows down necessary change.
• Q: How does King justify breaking laws through civil disobedience? A: King argues that civil disobedience is justified when laws are unjust. He cites historical examples, like the Boston Tea Party, to show that Americans have a tradition of civil disobedience against unjust laws.
• Q: What is the significance of King writing this letter while in jail? A: The fact that King wrote this eloquent and powerful letter while confined in a jail cell adds to its impact. It demonstrates his commitment to the cause and his ability to respond thoughtfully to criticism even under difficult circumstances.
• Q: How does King use religious references in his letter? A: King, as a minister writing to fellow clergymen, frequently uses biblical allusions and religious language. This serves to remind readers of his religious authority and to appeal to shared Christian values.
• Q: What is the lasting impact of the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”? A: The letter continues to be widely read and studied. Its arguments about justice, civil disobedience, and racial equality have influenced many social justice movements around the world. It’s considered a classic text in fields like rhetoric, ethics, and political philosophy.

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"Letter from Birmingham Jail"

April 16, 1963

As the events of the  Birmingham Campaign  intensified on the city’s streets, Martin Luther King, Jr., composed a letter from his prison cell in Birmingham in response to local religious leaders’ criticisms of the campaign: “Never before have I written so long a letter. I’m afraid it is much too long to take your precious time. I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from a comfortable desk, but what else can one do when he is alone in a narrow jail cell, other than write long letters, think long thoughts and pray long prayers?” (King,  Why , 94–95).

King’s 12 April 1963 arrest for violating Alabama’s law against mass public demonstrations took place just over a week after the campaign’s commencement. In an effort to revive the campaign, King and Ralph  Abernathy   had donned work clothes and marched from Sixth Avenue Baptist Church into a waiting police wagon. The day of his arrest, eight Birmingham clergy members wrote a criticism of the campaign that was published in the  Birmingham News , calling its direct action strategy “unwise and untimely” and appealing “to both our white and Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense” (“White Clergymen Urge”).

Following the initial circulation of King’s letter in Birmingham as a mimeographed copy, it was published in a variety of formats: as a pamphlet distributed by the  American Friends Service Committee  and as an article in periodicals such as  Christian Century ,  Christianity and Crisis , the  New York Post , and  Ebony  magazine. The first half of the letter was introduced into testimony before Congress by Representative William Fitts Ryan (D–NY) and published in the  Congressional Record . One year later, King revised the letter and presented it as a chapter in his 1964 memoir of the Birmingham Campaign,  Why We Can’t Wait , a book modeled after the basic themes set out in “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

In  Why We Can’t Wait , King recalled in an author’s note accompanying the letter’s republication how the letter was written. It was begun on pieces of newspaper, continued on bits of paper supplied by a black trustee, and finished on paper pads left by King’s attorneys. After countering the charge that he was an “outside agitator” in the body of the letter, King sought to explain the value of a “nonviolent campaign” and its “four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action” (King,  Why , 79). He went on to explain that the purpose of direct action was to create a crisis situation out of which negotiation could emerge.

The body of King’s letter called into question the clergy’s charge of “impatience” on the part of the African American community and of the “extreme” level of the campaign’s actions (“White Clergymen Urge”). “For years now, I have heard the word ‘Wait!’” King wrote. “This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never’” (King,  Why , 83). He articulated the resentment felt “when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of ‘nobodiness’—then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait” (King,  Why , 84). King justified the tactic of civil disobedience by stating that, just as the Bible’s Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey Nebuchadnezzar’s unjust laws and colonists staged the Boston Tea Party, he refused to submit to laws and injunctions that were employed to uphold segregation and deny citizens their rights to peacefully assemble and protest.

King also decried the inaction of white moderates such as the clergymen, charging that human progress “comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation” (King,  Why , 89). He prided himself as being among “extremists” such as Jesus, the prophet Amos, the apostle Paul, Martin Luther, and Abraham Lincoln, and observed that the country as a whole and the South in particular stood in need of creative men of extreme action. In closing, he hoped to meet the eight fellow clergymen who authored the first letter.

Garrow,  Bearing the Cross , 1986.

King, “A Letter from Birmingham Jail,”  Ebony  (August 1963): 23–32.

King, “From the Birmingham Jail,”  Christianity and Crisis  23 (27 May 1963): 89–91.

King, “From the Birmingham Jail,”  Christian Century  80 (12 June 1963): 767–773.

King, “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” (Philadelphia: American Friends Service Committee, May 1963).

King, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” in  Why We Can’t Wait , 1964.

Reverend Martin Luther King Writes from Birmingham City Jail—Part I , 88th Cong., 1st sess.,  Congressional Record  (11 July 1963): A 4366–4368.

“White Clergymen Urge Local Negroes to Withdraw from Demonstrations,”  Birmingham News , 13 April 1963.

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Letter from Birmingham Jail

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HONS 110-07

Introduction to academic writing.

The Rhetorical Situation of Letter from Birmingham Jail 

As the Civil Rights movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s unfolded, Martin Luther King Jr. had, perhaps, the most encompassing and personal rhetorical situation to face in American history. In Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King responds to the subjectivity of law and the issue he paramounts by using precise and impactful rhetoric from inside of his jail cell. While this fight had been raging for nearly 10 years, the release in 1963 was shortly followed  by the Civil Rights Act in 1964.              

Martin Luther leading peaceful Birmingham protest, AP News

Lloyd Bitzer describes rhetorical situation as, “a complex of persons, events, objects, and relations presenting an actual or potential exigence which can be  completely or partially removed if discourse, introduced into the situation, can so constrain human decision or action to bring about the significant modification of the exigence” (6). In sum, all rhetoric has an external situation in which it is responding to. Analysing a rhetorical situation clarifies why a text was created, the purpose in which it was written, and why the author made specific choices while writing it. There are three main considerations to make while analysing a rhetorical situation: the constraints, the exigence, and the audience. Constraints bring light to the obstacles this rhetoric may face, whether it be social, political, economical, etc. and may encompass the audience, as seen while analysing Letter From Birmingham Jail. The audience of a rhetorical piece will shape the rhetoric the author uses in order to appeal, brazen, or educate whoever is exposed. Lastly, the exigence of a rhetorical piece is the external issue, situation, or event in which the rhetoric is responding to. All of these factors influence each other to shape rhetoric, which Bitzer describes as, “pragmatic; it comes into existence for the sake of something beyond itself” (3), with Martin Luther King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail being a shining example. 

In Letter From Birmingham Jail, the exigence is the continued condemnation, segregation, and prejudice afflicted against African Americans since the emancipation of the slaves in 1863. However, the racial divide was legislated in 1877 with the implementation of Jim Crow laws, which lasted until 1950. While the Civil Rights movement superseded the dismantling of Jim Crow, the social ideologies and lackadaisical legislature behind anti-black prejudice continued to rack the country far into the 1960’s. King was the figurehead of the Civil Rights movement, infamous for his “I Have a Dream” speech and substantially impactful rhetoric promoting social and political change, peaceful indignation, and calls to awareness. Martin Luther found himself arrested on the twelfth of April 1963 after leading a peaceful protest throughout Birmingham, Alabama “after he defied a state court’s injunction and led a march of black protesters without a permit, urging an Easter boycott of white-owned stores” (Jr., Martin Luther King). The eight clergymen in Birmingham released a public statement of caution regarding the protesters actions as “unwise and untimely” (King 1), to which Martin’s letter is a direct response. This protest, his subsequent arrest, and the clergymen’s public statement ostensibly make up the rhetorical exigence, but it truly stems from a much larger and dangerous situation at hand: the overwhelming state of anti-black prejudice spread socially, systematically, and legislatively in America since the country’s implementation of slavery in Jamestown, 1619. This exigence is rhetorical because it can be improved if enough people are socially cognizant, whether that be in legislature or the streets of Birmingham, through creation and enforcement of equitable laws and social attitudes. These circumstances lead us to our next rhetorical focus: audience. Who was he truly writing for?

The audience of Letter From Birmingham Jail was initially the eight clergymen of Birmingham, all white and in positions of religious leadership. However, in the months that followed, King’s powerful words were distributed to the public through civil right’s committees, the press, and was even read in testimony before Congress (‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’), taking the country by storm. While his letter was only addressed to the clergymen, it is safe to assume that King had intent on the public eventually reading his letter, considering his position within the Civil Rights movement, use of persuasive rhetorical language, and hard-hitting debates on the justification of law. With this addressed, his audience was truly the population of the United States, especially Birmingham, with a focus on those who withheld and complied with the oppression of African American citizens, even if not intentionally. This audience is rhetorical as the social and political ideologies of the American people fuel democracy and are able to change the system around them through collective effort. His writing is respectful and educated, if not naturally, to invalidate the use of his race against him by the largely prejudiced audience. It’s important to note that his initial readers/supporters greatly impacted the scope of his audience, spreading the letter through handouts, flyers, and press, in the hopes that others would be impacted for the better by the weight of the exigence at hand. His audience ranged between those who his message empowered, a radical positive force, and those who disagreed, made up of southern states, extremist groups, and the majority of American citizens stuck in their racial prejudices. Despite his support, Martin Luther’s audience is one of the largest constraints in his rhetorical situation. 

The constraints surrounding Martin Luther King’s rhetorical situation include the audience, the rhetorical exigence of the situation he is responding to, Dr. King himself, and the medium, all of which are deeply connected. Firstly, and most daunting, is the constraint of the letter’s audience. Initially, the eight Birmingham clergymen are the audience and while they were not overtly racist, King uses rhetoric meant to have them understand his urgency. As mentioned before, the social and political ideologies in America surrounding racial equity at this time, specifically in Birmingham, were extremely poor. While his supporters nation-wide were avid, determined, and hopeful, they were challenged by the opposing, vastly white population, comfortable in their segregated establishments and racist ideologies who would certainly weaponize his viewpoints. Not only was this a social division, but those who opposed King were reinforced by the respective legislature that sought to burden him. Despite his opposition, however, the letter is truly addressed to those who were not against King, but did not understand the urgency of his movement. The letter goes on to explain his choice to act directly and nonviolently, stating, “For years now I have heard the word ‘wait.’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This ‘wait’ has almost always meant ‘never’ (King 2). King chose to write this for a reason; to resonate with those who were not his enemies but who held back the movement through compliance. It was important for King to address this audience as their support would ultimately make the largest difference in the movement. The biases of the audience go hand in hand with the rhetorical exigence of this letter, another large constraint in the effectiveness of his message. The continuous mistreatment of African Americans for over a century was, at last, deeply questioned and challenged nationwide with the growing popularity of the Civil Rights movement, and the topic of equality for all had divided the country. All of this accumulates into an unwavering social constraint placed on Martin Luther King’s rhetorical text. To minimize the possibility of being deemed invalid due to his race, he must choose what he states and how he states it very precisely which correlates to the constraints Martin Luther himself has on his rhetorical situation. 

As a black man and pacifist-forward figurehead of the Civil Rights movement, the way Martin Luther is perceived is mostly dictated by preconceived biases and is rampant, widespread, and polarized. 

                 Martin Luther in Birmingham Jail, The Atlantic

Furthermore, exterior events regarding the movement could ultimately reflect on his influence and polarize the audience further. Greater importance is placed on his tone, choice of words, choice of argument, and credibility, for better or for worse, and he must carefully make rhetorical decisions, not only because of his race. At this time, he is representative of the Black American population and the Civil Rights Movement as a whole– he is Martin Luther King Jr., and while this is a powerful position to occupy, the constraints imposed are just as dominant. Ultimately, he effectively tackles societal constraints, whether it be audience bias, historical racism, or how he is viewed by using the power of his rhetoric to his advantage. King spins the constraining pressure to properly represent the movement on its head, using his rhetoric to uplift the underprivileged and leave no room in his language for criticism, proven by the continuous adoption of his messages by the public. 

Lastly, King is constrained by his medium. A letter, as a medium, is constraining as there is one definitive original copy, it is addressed to a small specific group, and since it cannot be directly broadcasted widely, opposed to television or radio, it must be printed or passed along analogically. Whether this be by newspaper, flyers, or restated by another in speech, the spread of information is slower and potentially more controllable. The letter was written April third, 1963, it was published for the public in June of the same year, a slower spread than a nationwide address on television or radio. Additionally, personable elements such as tone, inflection, and overall vindication behind the letter are left to be determined by the rhetorical language. There may have been advantages to broadcasting this message similarly to his “I Have a Dream” speech, which touched America deeply, due potentially to the accessible, instantaneous, and widespread coverage in American media. He was able to further interact with the audience; they were able to hear his voice, listen to the intended tone behind his words, see his face, and study his demeanor in the face of adversary. However, this constraint did not ultimately halt the spread of King’s message nation-wide, as it became a persuasive landmark of the civil rights movement, likely due to both his impactful position and persuasive use of rhetoric. 

To truly understand the effectiveness of this letter, one must rhetorically analyse the contents. Martin Luther utilizes powerful rhetoric to define his exigence. He begins strongly by explaining why he is in Birmingham in the first place, stating, “So I am here…because we were invited here. I am here because I have basic organizational ties here” (King 1), after describing his involvement in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as president. He goes on to add; “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here” (King 1). At the time, Birmingham was one of the harshest places to live in America for African Americans; white supremacy groups would set off bombs to instill fear in the black community and withhold racial integration, and peaceful protests and sit-ins were met with unjustifiable police violence, in addition to the suffocating social qualms surrounding the black community (Eskew). Consequently, Birmingham became the core of the Civil Rights movement, pumping the life-blood of social change into the rest of the country. Being nearly symbolic, King being held prisoner in Birmingham, the most polar racial arena of the United States, made his rhetoric more effective. It elucidated the exigence behind his letter as his presented rationale behind his arrest only made unjust laws appear more asinine and questionable by relation. Martin Luther King then goes on to make an analogy to the Bible, portraying Apostle Paul’s proliferation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in parallel to his own efforts, stating, “I too am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown” (1). These encompass his exigence, at its most simple and precise, and validify the importance behind transforming the country in a positive way. 

The rhetorical choices referenced above are riddled with pathos, also known as language utilized to persuade the audience emotionally. Not only does he use pathos to humanize himself, but he also uses it to humanize his immediate audience, the eight clergymen. He opens with an explanation to his response, stating, “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas…But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms”(King 1). By addressing his respect for the clergymen, feigned or not, he is acknowledging the effectiveness of respect to those in power, whether they may or may not deserve it. King’s decision to compare his efforts to those of biblical figures with shared intent was a deliberate attempt to find common ground with his initial readers, the eight religious Birmingham clergymen, through the faith of a shared religion. His mention of involvement and leadership within a Christian civil rights organization, strength of religious analogy, and general politeness are effective rhetorical choices used to shape how he is perceived despite his critical response, racial setbacks, and arrest: a relatable man of faith, rationale, and initiative. 

Martin Luther King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail is undeniably effective at responding to the rhetorical situation at hand. While there were consistent and impactful efforts made by various groups for equality throughout the civil rights era, the proximity between the public release of the letter, found nation-wide by late 1963, and the passing of the Civil Rights Act in early July 1964 shows the direct impact the letter had on social attitudes following its publicization. The law was written in 1962, but the powerful response pushed the courts to finalize their decision. This period of quiet speculation over the law illuminates the national divide in opinion over the matter, one which King helped persuade positively. To summarize, Martin Luther King’s rhetoric is effective and ultimately changed the course of the Civil Rights movement for the better.                 

Works Cited

Bitzer, Lloyd F. “The Rhetorical Situation.” Philosophy & Rhetoric , vol. 1, no. 1, Penn State University Press, 1968, pp. 1–14, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40236733 .

Glenn Eskew, “Bombingham: Black Protest in Postwar Birmingham, Alabama”, 1997

Jr., Martin Luther King. “Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’.” The Atlantic , Atlantic Media Company, 29 Jan. 2021, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/02/letter-from-a-birmingham-jail/552461/. 

“‘Letter from Birmingham Jail.’” The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute , 29 May 2019, https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/letter-birmingham-jail. 

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Rhetorical Analysis of “The Letter of Birmingham Jail”

This essay will provide a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” It will explore King’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos to craft a powerful argument for civil rights and nonviolent protest. The piece will discuss how King addresses his critics, uses historical and religious references, and constructs his argument to appeal to a broad audience. It will also consider the letter’s historical context and its significance in the civil rights movement. At PapersOwl, you’ll also come across free essay samples that pertain to Analysis.

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The “letter of Birmingham Jail” was written by Martin Luther King on April 16, 1963. He wrote this letter from his jail cell after him and several of his associates were arrested as they nonviolently protested segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. The eight clergy men called his present activity “unwise and untimely” and stated that racial matters should be properly pursued in the courts and not the streets. After Martin Luther King looked over the clergymen’s unjust propositions he efficiently constructed his counter argument as he directly started his letter “my dear fellow clergymen”.

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.

Martin Luther King’s major claims in this letter are to bring forward the injustices that went on in Birmingham. That direct action was the only choice for negation as they were victims of broken promises by the courts and given no alternative choice. The time was now, they were done waiting for change instead they were going to make it happen on their own terms by creating tension that would force them to confront the issue. Throughout his letter he brings forward the injustices of just vs. unjust laws used by the segregator and pushed upon the segregated. The prejudices of the white moderate who say they agree with the goal they seek of freedom but cannot agree with their methods of direct actions. 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. MLK wonders about the churches and why they’re not trying to help the black community in their struggle and support their movement, as Christians use to have moral and ethical power. Lastly, he argues that it doesn’t matter how admirable the police are when they are maintaining the immoral end of racial injustice. These themes of injustice were the push for his plan of direct action as he states and supports each theme with clear and factual evidence.

Martin Luther King first starts off his letter by using a strong ethos appeal, by establishing his credibility to the clergy men after they referenced him as an “outsider coming in.” He first addresses them by saying, “My Dear Fellow Clergymen.” By saying this MLK is considering him as one of them showing that he is no different and deserves the same respect as they would want to be given. He then continues to address them in his introduction with respect and a cordial tone. Not trying to fight or disrespect them as he refers to them as “men of genuine good will and that your criticism is sincerely set forth” (King 273), but still speaks strongly upon his side of the statements that were made. MLK then establishes his credibility by saying, “I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty-five affiliated organizations across the south, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights” (King 273). He makes this statement to show he is not an outsider but presents himself as an insider, as he is the president of the conference. He is informed about the crisis going on in Birmingham as he has a chapter in their state and was invited there to help fight the discrimination. Showing that he takes the cultural ideas of him and his followers very seriously and is there to fight for them.

Martin Luther King also establishes ethos throughout his letter by outlining his own culture of religious ancestors and deliberating his own church leadership. King references a dozen historical figures from Abraham Lincoln, to Paul of Tarsus, Socrates, to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and many more. He Compares his fight for freedom with the Apostle Paul and the prophets fight for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther King then backs up his view of just and unjust laws with many political figures who set laws that were made to be broken for the rights of the people that faced injustices. 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. 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). 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 what’s any different than him doing the same. As King is just following the path of his ministerial ancestors. This appeals to ethos as it validates king’s quality educational background.

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. Each one of the arguments put onward by the clergymen MLK put down and refuted with facts that were undeniable. He analyzed his opponents’ statements put forth then picks it apart backing up each little part with his collection of facts. He uses logos to first bring forward the racial injustices that engulf Birmingham stating, “Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case” (King 274). After stating the racial injustices that have been going on for too long he continues to logically reply to the question asked Why direct action? “Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.

It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored” (King 274). Showing that his plan for direct action is not unwise and supposed to be untimely as they have waited to long for change and now it’s time to force negotiation. He then addresses the clergymen’s anxiety over their willingness to break laws. As King states that just laws should be followed, and unjust laws should be openly disobeyed. 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. He does this by describing just and unjust laws from multiple different angles, in ways the reader could relate to. “A law is unjust if it is inflicted on a minority that, as a result of being denied the right to vote, had no part in enacting or devising the law. Who can say that the legislature of Alabama which set up that state’s segregation laws was democratically elected” (King 277)? This puts it in perspective making it hard for the reader to refute. King also uses a strong sense of logos when describing the two sides of the community “one is a force of complacency, made up in part of negros who, as a result of long years of oppression, that have adjusted to segregation” (King 279), and “The other force is bitterness and hatred, and it comes perilously close to advocating violence” (King 279). This passage in the letter shows the clergymen the two different sides. MLK doesn’t take time to justify these two groups of their rights and wrongs, but rather backs them up with facts that result in their actions. Showing that even if he remained unbiased that the black community would have acted regardless, and that the nonviolent action could very well have turned violent without the help of his organization. He backs up each of the clergymen’s arguments with logical evidence to his stand point on the topic.

Martian Luther King was also good at incorporating strong pathos into his letter. He made the reader sympathize with what the black people were going through on a day to day basis. He painted a picture of the violence they faced, the injustices, and brutality they had to endure. He pulls on the audience’s emotions making them more likely to side with himself rather than the clergy men. One of the statements made by the clergymen was that they warmly commended the Birmingham police for keeping “order” and “preventing violence”. MLK says “I doubt that you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, nonviolent Negroes” (King 283). He uses such intense words in this short sentence that really just leaves a picture in your mind. Showing the readers that the cops were actually the violent ones in the nonviolent protest that was going on, they’re the ones causing the harm instead of preventing it. Not only does he describe the brutality given by the cops he also describes the injustices done by the people and the community.

King says “having to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can’t 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). He continues to go on and on about the things they go through every day. This excerpt is strong appealing to the emotions of parents as no mom or dad would ever want their kids to feel that pain and carry it with them. He is also telling them this needs to be stopped and can be with the next generation. MLK also includes many metaphors in the letter to create that image in the readers mind and to make important arguments. For example, “Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our pending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity” (King 279). He compares the social situation with an “elegy” and the potential future to a “creative psalm”; racial injustice to “quicksand”, and the ultimate goal as a “solid rock”. King had to use his platform to set it straight as there were only newspapers at the time to capture the major brutality’s if they were lucky. He used numerous examples of sad and heart aching pathos, he did it to get his point across, making the white moderates feel what it was like to live in the life of a colored person. King also squeezed in a couple uplifting pathos reminding us of the beautiful opportunity’s that await them. 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).

Some may say Martian Luther King could persuade anyone and anything, by the choice of his words and how he made them flow together. In “Letter of Birmingham Jail” MLK does just that. The most remarkable takeaway from this letter is Kings overall tone he keeps throughout as he could have approached his audience multiple different ways. King kept a serious but sincere voice getting straight to the point, but also persuading his audience. He refutes each one of the clergymen’s statements, breaking it down and tearing it apart by intertwining the use of logos, pathos, and ethos. By doing this he validates why his nonviolent protest is necessary for growth and to overcome the prejudices that were happening in Birmingham. Not only did he bring those injustices forward, but his letter was the stepping stone for the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, as justice was finally approaching.

Works Cited

• King, Martin Luther. “‘The Letter of Birmingham Jail.’” Discovering Arguments: An
• Introduction to Critical Thinking and Writing, with Readings, by Dean Memering and William Palmer, Prentice Hall, 2005, pp. 273–284.”

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Rhetorical Analysis Example: King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail”

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Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the letter in a persuasive tone, which appealed to stand against racial inequality in the United States (US). The target audience consists of racist white supremacists and those who are victims. King uses various instances of ethos to show his credibility to readers. He introduces himself formally and links himself to historical figures. King also makes good use of pathos to trigger the emotions of readers. He shows some prevalent forms of racism and presents possible consequences in case of failure to reform the system. In turn, King uses logos to justify his actions, and he gives multiple reasons that demystify the real meaning of just and unjust laws. Finally, King covers kairos and explains to the audience that there is the right and opportune time to address the problem, while his allusions only support his claims. He questions the rules made by the white majority because Black people can no longer be outsiders. In particular, the overview of rhetoric appeals, along with King’s ability to pursue the crowd, makes this rhetorical analysis example of MLK’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” stand out among others.

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Introduction

“Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, describes a protest against his arrest for non-violent resistance to racism. The audience of the letter is not only clergymen but also another part of American society. In the letter, King appeals for unity against racism in society, while he wants to fight for human rights using ethos. Similarly, King uses pathos to trigger the emotional aspect of readers and encourages his audience to take real action. Moreover, King provides various logical explanations to make his position clear and the reasons for fighting against white supremacy. The letter is reflective in tone and serves to catch both suppressed people and those who are exploiting them. In turn, King’s use of kairos and allusions places his actions in the historical context of not only his time but also the past. Thus, this essay, in the form of the rhetorical analysis example of “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” reveals King’s literary skills and his passion for perceiving equality, which he accomplishes by using ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos, avoiding logical fallacies above all.

Historical Context

The problem of racial inequality and segregation existed in American society for hundreds of years since its development. Before writing the letter, the first critical point was between 1954 and 1955 years, when there was a decision made by the Supreme Court in the Brown v. Board of Education case, which postulated that the existence of segregated public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s rule of equal protection of the laws (Sturm, 1984). Moreover, in 1955, there was an accident when Rosa Parks, a Black woman and seamstress, rejected the conductor’s request to leave a bus and make room for white passengers. The result was the “Montgomery Bus Boycott” and other Civil Rights movements, which were led by King and other Black activists. They were concerned about their roles in American society and racial discrimination against them.

Peaceful Protest

In 1962, King and his followers decided to focus on the conditions that existed in the city and consider an active confrontation with the powers of segregation, issuing the “Birmingham Manifesto.” During a peaceful demonstration march of 1963 held on Good Friday, the police arrested and jailed King. As a result, Bishop C. C. J. Carpenter, Bishop Joseph A. Durick, Rabbi Hilton L. Grafman, Bishop Paul Hardin, Bishop Nolan B. Harmon, Bishop George M. Murray, Moderator Edward V. Ramage, and Pastor Earl Stallings (1963) signed their statement called “A Call for Unity” to condemn King’s actions, providing their own visions on segregation and race relations in Birmingham, Alabama. They used their authority to force King to stop the protest of the Black community.

King’s Response

The main purpose of King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” was to explain himself to the public, defend the rights of Black people, and use his strategy of non-violent resistance as a way to fight racism and segregation. By responding to the arguments made by eight white clergymen, King wrote his public letter as a rhetorical form to defend himself and the rights of Black people (Fulkerson, 1979). In turn, the peaceful protest intends to create a non-violent direct action that leads to a crisis, establishes tension, opens the door to negotiation, and confronts the issue of the unremitting perseverance of racism in American society. King justifies the issue of civil disobedience, uses his example of rhetorical analysis, and emphasizes the urgency of fighting injustice and people’s moral responsibility to oppose unjust laws, making the letter a historical document in the Black struggle for civil rights.

Summary of King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail”

In his rhetorical piece “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” King writes to clergymen representing Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish faith traditions and shares his counterarguments to their claims concerning racial issues in society. Basically, King (1963) is in jail because of his vision of how people should live to develop a normal community. However, clergymen provided their criticism of King’s actions and methods of achieving a common good, stating that he was wrong. King (1963) responds to clergymen’s claims by providing many counterarguments that support his side. He focuses on moral, emotional, logical, valid, timely, and credible reasons for a justification of his actions and goals. King (1963) does not write that clergymen are wrong, but he thinks that the government should be more active in forming positive conditions for people of all races. As a result, he ends his letter claiming that he is just a human, like everyone, who wants to develop a better society for all. By considering this summary of “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” to be annotated for all and the main messages that King wanted to deliver to his audience, he is a legendary person since his arguments on racial segregation touch not only clergymen but also others who want to live in a peaceful and equal society.

The use of ethos in the letter is very influential for all readers, and King’s introduction paragraph is the first instance of this rhetorical device. For example, King (1963) states that he earned the title of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s President and could operate in every Southern State of the US country. Here, King creates a moral connection with readers and establishes himself as a man with authority. Even more, the use of words, like ‘president’ and ‘every,’ describes the status of the organization as trustworthy and credible, making his ethos appeal stronger in this rhetorical analysis example.

How to Pursue Credibility

King was a remarkable speaker of his time and knew the perfect combination of various rhetorical devices to use in his argumentative structure to persuade his audience. In the letter, he references many notable and historical personalities in order to set a basis for the aim of his writing. For instance, King (1963) compares himself to Apostle Paul, who set out on a journey to convey the message of Christianity all over Greece and Rome. However, the story of Paul is not the only influencing factor that King uses in his letter. King (1963) also specifies various prominent personalities, like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, John Bunyan, Martin Luther, and even Jesus Christ, in his letter. He distinctively pursues his audience into believing that he wants to create a revolutionary change. This anticipated change is big enough to make it into history books and influencing enough to become recognized by many people.

Validity of Claims

References to instantly recognizable and respected characters are excellent examples of ethos in King’s literary work. Basically, it seems that he understands that his whole argument and appeal are weaker. If King (1963) is not able to provide a substantial threshold for the revolution, he is conjuring. So, he uses such historical elements in order to create a comparable point for his credibility. His intention is very exquisite, while obvious appeals can serve as good rhetorical analysis examples because they can draw an analogy, and other people can analyze how they work much better too.

King makes the situation of human rights clear. He was jailed on the grounds of the ‘violation of court injunction’ during his 1963 protest against racism in Birmingham. Moreover, he was put in solitary confinement by different authorities. He even denied his right to the phone call (Snyder, 2013). Additionally, King provokes serious emotions in readers. For example, as a protest against this direct abduction of basic human rights by clergymen in Birmingham, King (1963) writes about such manipulative issues with law enforcement using pathos. He acknowledges that the requirement of the permit is not a real issue. In turn, King expected the intervention of authorities, given that he knew about the law.

Violation of Human Rights

King argues that the detention of members of the protest and the treatment given to them by the police and the government are against basic human rights. His statement was justifiable as the protest was non-violent, and the police violated his human rights (Snyder, 2013). This statement is an important message for the target audience because anyone can be put in his place. Furthermore, King (1963) states that African Americans have waited for long to gain their human rights. The actions and the situation of racism were a direct violation of the law of a nation as well as the law of God. King (1963) also clarifies that the lack of rights is against democracy and the US Constitution, while Blacks deserve the ‘God-given’ rights. Every democratic country provides its citizens with the freedom of speech, given that the actions do not violate legal limits. Nevertheless, King argues that the situation of human rights is contrary to the definition provided in the US Constitution.

Threat to Equality

King tries to persuade readers to know the extent of this situation of human rights. According to King (1963), his presence in Birmingham meant that the situation of human rights was miserable there, and his arrest by local authorities proved his point. In the same way, he has also made extensive use of pathos against white supremacy. When King (1963) appeals to Blacks to fight against racism, he writes about the life of African Americans, highlighting poverty and mistreatment. Blacks are not given the most privileges and state the backwardness of them as a consequence. Hence, this statement exclusively appeals to Blacks in an emotional aspect. The use of pathos in the rhetorical analysis example can easily help people to understand the concept of emotional appeals and use them in their essays.

The letter includes different logical explanations. King, being an influential speaker, has added a lot of rational appeals to his work. One of the logical aspects of his letter is his argument on the definition of ‘unjust’ law. King (1963) provides a definition of such laws and examples of how they are enforced, using common logic to decipher how discrimination exists in society without encountering any logical fallacies. To achieve this purpose, he uses the examples of just and unjust laws. According to him, the law that people must follow and the law that is used to arrest him are different, and it is simply a form of ‘unjust law’ in action.

White Supremacy

The majority of white supremacist can define the law with their advantage in mind. In this case, King (1963) states that it is a bad thing that white supremacists leave Negroes with no other choice but to stand against them. In turn, the white majority discriminates against African Americans, treats them as the minority, and denies their basic rights granted by the US Constitution and by God himself. King (1963) justifies his presence in Birmingham by writing that he and his friends are “invited” to the prison, satirically highlighting the concept of injustice. Moreover, King is very reflective in his letter, adding emotional appeals after logical ones to deliver needed messages, and he makes it clear that resistance appeared. From the perspective of an oppressed person, there was no other way to eliminate the problem, and the rhetorical analysis example proved that the use of rhetorical appeals could help in delivering such a message.

“Letter From a Birmingham Jail” is a timely response to the oppressive institutional and cultural practices of the white population because of the struggle faced by the Black community in the mid-20th century. For example, King (1963) justified to the clergy his presence in Birmingham and stated that he was in the city because of injustice, being a threat to justice, while Black people could not live as “outsiders” anymore. Moreover, his protest of civil rights and the will of the Black community cannot be ignored by the white majority since it is the time to open the eyes and solve the problem of racial injustice. King (1963) also mentions that he followed the requirements of a legal, non-violent protest at that time, and they included the facts of injustices, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action. Hence, King’s letter and his protest of civil rights were presented at the right and opportune time.

To strengthen the timely response to clergymen, King provides his examples of rhetorical analysis and uses allusions to historical events to make his arguments bigger in terms of context. King (1963) states that, in the past, the early Christians were ready to face hungry lions and defend themselves against unjust laws of the Roman Empire, and even Socrates believed in just civil disobedience. He does not mean that Black people should be extremists in their actions, but this allusion suggests that he moves the discussion beyond what happens in Birmingham to the larger historical and philosophical contexts. Although clergymen position themselves as the Birmingham community, King’s allusions mean that he is a member of the entire human civilization in terms of history (Watson, 2004). He perceives the fierce urgency of now for the whole nation because of the highest value of justice. Hence, the most likely reason why King uses allusions is that justice and peace are the most important values for a civil and democratic society.

Summing Up on MLK’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail”

In conclusion, this essay shows that the proper use of rhetorical devices, such as ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos, in “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” combined with a reflective tone and King’s passion, makes his work stand out as an excellent piece of literature as well as a motivational message. Firstly, King establishes himself as a man with trustworthiness using ethos. He wants readers to know that he wants a real change that is big enough for history. Then, King uses emotional appeals to reflect the miserable situation of human rights and states that his presence in jail is desperation. Likewise, King makes excellent use of logos to justify the rogue status of the government. Furthermore, the use of kairos in the form of the right and opportune response to white clergymen and American society in general allows him to talk about the larger historical and philosophical contexts. So, the letter is an appeal for those who want change and a warning for those who oppose it. In turn, this essay presented as the rhetorical analysis example analyzes King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” and explains how one can use different rhetorical devices and strategies to enhance the message to people on the national level, bringing social change to life.

For writing a rhetorical analysis essay, use this outline:

Carpenter, C. C. J., Durick, J. A., Grafman, H. L., Hardin, P., Harmon, N. B., Murray, G. M., Ramage, E. V., & Stallings, E. (1963). White clergymen urge local Negroes to withdraw from demonstrations. The Birmingham News . https://bplonline.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4017coll2/id/746/

Fulkerson, R. P. (1979). The public letter as a rhetorical form: Structure, logic, and style in King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” Quarterly Journal of Speech , 65 (2), 121-136. https://doi.org/10.1080/00335637909383465

King, M. L., Jr. (1963). The Negro is your brother. The Atlantic Monthly , 212 (2), 78-88. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1963/08/the-negro-is-your-brother/658583

Snyder, J. A. (2013). Fifty years later: Letter From Birmingham Jail. The News Republic . https://newrepublic.com/article/112952/martin-luther-king-jrs-letter-birmingham-jail-fifty-years-later

Sturm, D. (1984). Crisis in the American republic: The legal and political significance of Martin Luther King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” Journal of Law and Religion , 2 (2), 309-324. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1051093

Watson, M. S. (2004). The issue is justice: Martin Luther King Jr.’s response to the Birmingham clergy. Rhetoric and Public Affairs , 7 (1), 1-22. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41939887

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Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

1. introduction.

The "Introduction" section of the rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" provides background information about the letter itself. It explores the circumstances that led to King's writing of the letter, including the context of racial segregation and civil rights activism in Birmingham in 1963. The introduction sets the stage for the reader by offering a brief overview of the events and political climate that prompted King to address his letter to the clergy in Birmingham. More specifically, the background of the letter delves into the reasons for King's arrest, the struggle for civil rights in the South, and the responses to his nonviolent protests. It highlights the urgency and significance of King's message and situates the reader within the historical and social context in which the letter was written. By providing this background, the introduction lays the foundation for the subsequent rhetorical analysis, allowing the reader to grasp the importance of King's words and the relevance of his arguments within the broader civil rights movement.

1.1. Background of the Letter

In order to understand the context of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," it is crucial to delve into the circumstances that led to its creation. The letter was written in April 1963 when King was arrested and imprisoned for participating in nonviolent protests against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. While in jail, King was criticized by local white clergy for his activism, which prompted him to pen a response defending the tactics of the civil rights movement and advocating for the urgency of addressing segregation and racial injustice. The backdrop of the letter includes the broader civil rights movement of the 1960s, a time characterized by widespread racial discrimination and social unrest. Birmingham, in particular, was a hotspot for civil rights activism, with its segregated public facilities and discriminatory practices serving as catalysts for protests. King's letter serves as a testament to the tumultuous social and political climate of the era, as well as the resilience and determination of those fighting for equality and justice. Understanding the historical and social context in which the letter was written is essential for comprehending its significance and the powerful rhetoric employed by King to convey his message.

2. Rhetorical Situation

The rhetorical situation in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is shaped by the context of the Civil Rights Movement. King wrote the letter in response to a public statement by eight white Alabama clergymen who criticized the nonviolent protests led by King and other activists. King addresses the specific circumstances surrounding the protests and the broader social and political environment that necessitated the need for civil rights activism. By situating his letter within the context of the Civil Rights Movement, King is able to effectively communicate the urgency and importance of the struggle for equality and justice. Furthermore, the rhetorical situation also encompasses the audience, purpose, and constraints that King faced as he composed the letter. King's primary audience is the clergymen who had expressed their opposition to the protests. His purpose is to defend the tactics of nonviolent resistance and to articulate the moral and legal justification for civil disobedience. The constraints of the rhetorical situation include the need to appeal to a skeptical and potentially hostile audience while maintaining the moral high ground. By analyzing the rhetorical situation, we gain insight into the strategic choices King made in his letter and how he effectively employed rhetoric to advance the cause of the Civil Rights Movement.

2.1. Context of the Civil Rights Movement

In the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement was at its peak, with African Americans and their allies advocating for an end to racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The movement sought to secure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, regardless of race, and to dismantle the systemic racism that was deeply entrenched in various aspects of American society. This period was marked by significant social and political unrest, as well as acts of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance, all aimed at bringing about lasting change. Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as one of the movement's most influential leaders, using his platform to galvanize support for the cause and mobilize individuals to take a stand against injustice. Against this backdrop of widespread inequality and unrest, King penned his famous 'Letter from Birmingham Jail', articulating the moral and philosophical basis for the Civil Rights Movement while also addressing the criticisms and concerns of his detractors. The context of the Civil Rights Movement is therefore crucial to understanding the rhetorical strategies employed by King in his letter, and how they contributed to the broader goals of the movement.

3. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King Jr. effectively utilizes ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the audience and justify his actions. His appeal to ethos is evident in his positioning as a credible and trustworthy figure, drawing on his status as a respected leader in the civil rights movement. King strategically incorporates references to his role as a minister and his commitment to nonviolent protest to establish his moral authority and credibility. This appeal to ethos enhances the persuasiveness of his argument and fosters a sense of trust and respect among his audience. Through his ethical appeal, King seeks to align himself with the values and beliefs of the broader community, thereby strengthening his ability to influence and persuade. In addition to ethos, King also employs pathos to evoke an emotional response from the audience. He recounts the suffering and injustice experienced by African Americans, using vivid descriptions and emotive language to elicit empathy and compassion. By appealing to the audience's emotions, King fosters a sense of shared humanity and solidarity, compelling them to confront the moral and ethical implications of racial injustice. This emotional appeal serves to galvanize support for the civil rights movement and mobilize individuals to take action against systemic oppression. Furthermore, King incorporates logos, or logical reasoning, to underpin his argument and demonstrate the rationality of his cause. He presents a series of logical and well-reasoned arguments to support his stance on civil disobedience and the urgency of addressing racial inequality. Through the use of evidence, statistics, and historical references, King substantiates his claims and positions the civil rights movement as a logical and necessary response to pervasive injustice. By appealing to the audience's capacity for reason and critical thinking, King strengthens the intellectual foundations of his argument and encourages a thoughtful reconsideration of existing social norms and policies. Overall, King's strategic use of ethos, pathos, and logos in "Letter from Birmingham Jail" contributes to the persuasive power of his message and underscores the urgency of addressing racial injustice in America.

3.1. King's Appeal to Ethos

In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King Jr. strategically employs ethos, one of the three modes of persuasion, to establish his credibility and moral authority as a leader in the civil rights movement. King's appeal to ethos is evident in his references to his position as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, his status as a minister, and his personal experiences as a Black man experiencing racial injustice. By leveraging his credentials and personal integrity, King effectively establishes himself as a trustworthy and reliable source, which strengthens his argument for the necessity of nonviolent civil disobedience in the fight against segregation and racism. Additionally, King's ethical appeal is further enhanced through his invocation of esteemed figures such as Socrates and Reinhold Niebuhr, as well as his explicit references to moral and religious principles. Through this strategic use of ethos, King not only bolsters his own credibility but also aligns his cause with universally recognized ethical values, thereby compelling his audience to consider the righteousness of his arguments and actions.

4. Use of Biblical and Historical References

In his 'Letter from Birmingham Jail', Martin Luther King Jr. makes extensive use of biblical and historical references to support his arguments for nonviolent resistance and civil rights. Throughout the letter, he strategically incorporates quotations and allusions to religious figures such as Jesus Christ and historical events like the American Revolution. By doing so, he effectively appeals to the moral and ethical principles shared by both the religious and secular communities, emphasizing the universal significance of the civil rights movement. King's use of biblical and historical references serves to underscore the interconnectedness of the struggle for equality with the broader narrative of liberation and justice, resonating with his audience on a profound and deeply rooted level. Ultimately, these references bolster his rhetorical strategy, lending weight and authority to his call for immediate and necessary action in the fight against racial injustice.

4.1. Incorporation of Religious Figures

In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King Jr. masterfully incorporates religious figures to lend authority and moral weight to his arguments. King draws on the teachings of prominent biblical figures such as Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul to underscore the righteousness of his cause and justify his nonviolent protest methods. By linking his struggle for civil rights to the principles of justice and love espoused in the Bible, King effectively appeals to the Christian conscience of his audience, urging them to recognize the moral imperative of desegregation and equality. Furthermore, King's strategic use of religious references not only serves to validate his own position, but also to challenge the moral integrity of his critics, many of whom were religious leaders themselves. By invoking the teachings of historical religious figures, King exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold Christian values, yet fail to support the quest for racial justice. Through these references, King powerfully conveys the message that the fight against segregation and discrimination is not only a political or social issue, but also a profoundly moral one that resonates with the fundamental tenets of faith and righteousness. Overall, the incorporation of religious figures in King's letter serves as a compelling rhetorical strategy that strengthens his argument and underscores the ethical urgency of the civil rights movement.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" remains a powerful and enduring piece of rhetorical discourse. Throughout the letter, King masterfully employs a variety of rhetorical strategies to express his message of civil rights and justice. His use of ethos, logos, and pathos effectively engages the readers and challenges the unjust segregation laws of the time. King's letter not only serves as a persuasive argument for the urgency of the civil rights movement, but also as a timeless example of skilled rhetoric. Furthermore, King's letter continues to inspire and resonate with audiences today, as his words remain relevant in the ongoing fight for social justice. The letter stands as a testament to the power of effective communication and the enduring impact of persuasive rhetoric. In analyzing King's letter, we gain insight into the art of persuasion and the use of rhetorical devices to convey a compelling message. Overall, "Letter from Birmingham Jail" showcases King's unparalleled rhetorical skill and serves as a poignant call to action for the pursuit of equality and justice for all.

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“Letter from Birmingham Jail” Rhetorical Analysis

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” goes one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most memorable passages in the “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” King wrote the long letter following his arrest for taking part in the 1963 Birmingham campaign, which was a nonviolent protest against racial segregation perpetuated by city’s government as well as local retail stores. King’s letter was in response to a critical “Call For Unity” by eight white Alabama clergymen. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a solid illustration of his reasoning and effective use of rhetorical strategies to convince his audience to make sense of the argument. In the “Letter from Birmingham,” one of the most classic document of the American civil-rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. uses all appeals to logic, emotion, ethics as well as logical analogies. Use of Logos in King’s Letter Logos refers to an effort to appeal to the intellect or make a logical argument by employing reason, facts and documented evidence. King makes effective use of the logs appeal in his letter. He sets off with a logical explanation as to why the Negroes had to demonstrate. He states: “I began thinking about the fact that I stand in the middle of two opposing forces in the Negro community. One is a force of complacency, made up in part of Negroes who, as a result of long years of oppression, are so drained of self-respect and a sense of “somebodiness” that they have adjusted to segregation; and in part of a few middle class Negroes who, because of a degree of academic and economic security and because in some ways they profit by segregation, have become insensitive to the problems of the masses. The other force is one of bitterness and hatred, and it comes perilously close to advocating violence. It is expressed in the various black nationalist groups that are springing up across the nation, the largest and best-known being Elijah Muhammad’s Muslim movement. Nourished by the Negro’s frustration over the continued existence of racial discrimination, this movement is made up of people who have lost faith in America, who have absolutely repudiated Christianity, and who have concluded that the white man is an incorrigible “devil” (Jasinski, 2001). He also employs the logos appeal in expressing the facts relating to the Negro situation in Birmingham which necessitated the nonviolent demonstrations following the refusal of the city fathers to engage in good-faith negotiation: “Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case” (Jasinski, 2001) Use of Logical Analogies in King’s Letter King draws on a number of logical analogies in his letter by referring to biblical stories. For instance, he deploys logical analogies to give explanation and provide feedback to his critics positing that he is an “outsider” in Birmingham. He states: “But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their “thus saith the Lord” far beyond the boundaries of their home town, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid” (Jasinski, 2001). In yet another instance of logical analogy, King makes a comparison of the actions who are in defiance of the unjust laws in the Jim Crow South with those who rendered “illegal aid and comfort to the Jews in Hitler’s Germany. To this, he invokes parallels to Jesus Christ, Luther King, Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson – comparisons that squarely denote the civil rights movement in not only a long tradition but also clearly distinguish between right and wrong in addition to responding to the “extremist” brand. He writes: “Was not Jesus an extremist for love: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Was not Amos an extremist for justice: “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Was not Martin Luther an extremist: “Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God.” And John Bunyan: “I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience.” And Abraham Lincoln: “This nation cannot survive half slave and half free.” And Thomas Jefferson: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal …” (Jasinski, 2001). Thirdly, King uses logical analogy when he makes a case for bringing out in the open the misgivings of the Negro community pertaining the deep-rooted racial injustices. To this, King declares: “Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured” (Jasinski, 2001).

Uses of Pathos in King’s Letter King employs emotional appeal by often using emotional and deeply person language in making his case. In paragraph 13, he responds to those who advise him to “Wait”: For years now I have heard the word “Wait!” It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This “Wait” has almost always meant “Never.” We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that “justice too long delayed is justice denied” (Jasinski, 2001). Thereafter, he emotionally chronicles the long list of injustices ranging from the lynch mobs, far too many murders, the abject poverty in which twenty million Negro brothers have had to live in, to the pain of struggling to explain to his sobbing six-year-old daughter why she is not free to go a segregated amusement park. King elevates the ethos appeal by moving from the general aspect of racism and injustice to narrating his personal experiences of it: “…when you take a cross-county drive and find it necessary to sleep night after night in the uncomfortable corners of your automobile because no motel will accept you; when you are humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading “white” and “colored”; when your first name becomes “nigger,” your middle name becomes “boy” (however old you are) and your last name becomes “John,” and your wife and mother are never given the respected title “Mrs.”; when you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are a Negro, living constantly at tiptoe stance, never quite knowing what to expect next, and are plagued with inner fears and outer resentments; when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of “nobodiness” then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait” (Jasinski, 2001). King also appeals to the emotions of the reader while registered his disappointment with white moderates, who, though sympathetic to his cause, appear “more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice”. He proceeds to express his disappointments with both the white church and white Christian leaders who have been “more cautious than couragesous.” King does well to frame his criticisms as confessions of disappointment as he hoped the figures would have lived up to their ideals. He painfully denotes: “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection” (Jasinski, 2001). Uses of Ethos King takes advantage of ethical appeal early on the letter by seeking to establish his reputation or authority. In explaining why he is in Birmingham he asserts that: “I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty-five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights” (Jasinski, 2001). This serves to establish credibility i.e. explaining the reason for doing the action and the goodness of the author’s character to the reader. The ethical appeal lends credence to the author’s argument by attesting that the author is indeed knowledgeable about the subject and has moral character and authority. In another instance of ethical appeal, King concurring with a historical figures held in high esteem: “I would agree with St. Augustine that “an unjust law is no law at all.” He also quotes another spiritual leader: To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law,” … and a philosopher: “Segregation, to use the terminology of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, substitutes an “I-it” relationship for an “I-thou” relationship and ends up relegating persons to the status of things” (Jasinski, 2001). All these serve to underscore the high moral values of Dr. King to the reader. In the later part of the letter, King also does well to recognize that not all members of the white race are without sound moral standing. He states: I am thankful, however, that some of our white brothers in the South have grasped the meaning of this social revolution and committed themselves to it. They are still too few in quantity, but they are big in quality. Some – such as Ralph McGill, Lillian Smith, Harry Golden, James McBride Dabbs, Ann Braden and Sarah Patton Boyle – have written about our struggle in eloquent and prophetic terms” (Jasinski, 2001). Conclusion In conclusion, King makes expert use of rhetorical strategies and especially Aristotle’s three argumentative appeals of logic, emotions, and ethics. Use of rhetorical strategies in writing and speaking is very important due to its ability to persuade and inform the audience in the manner desired by the author or speaker. His rhetorical influence remains relevant today because it serves as reference point to tackling the problem of racial profiling and injustices that are still abound in America’s society.

Reference: Jasinski, J. (2001). Sourcebook on rhetoric: : key concepts in contemporary rhetorical studies. Thousand Oaks (California: Sage.

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• King Jr.,Martin.(2019). Letter from Birmingham Jail. The Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr.1963. PDF

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Letter From Birmingham Jail — Letter from a Birmingham Jail: the Rhetorical Analysis

Letter from Birmingham Jail: The Rhetorical Analysis

• Categories: Letter From Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King

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Words: 1310 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1310 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

The essay analyzes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," focusing on how King effectively uses rhetorical devices—ethos, pathos, and logos—to convey his message and rally support for the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s.

Ethos is established through King's position as an influential leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He emphasizes his role as the SCLC president and cites the organization's extensive reach to build credibility. Moreover, King draws parallels to historical figures like Apostle Paul to signify the historical significance of his mission and influence on history.

Pathos is a powerful tool King employs to evoke emotions in the readers. He vividly describes the violence, discrimination, and brutality faced by Black Americans in Birmingham. Through poignant descriptions, King paints a stark picture of the suffering endured by the Black community, compelling readers to empathize with their struggle.

King also employs logos to justify the necessity for change in the face of unjust laws. He defines what constitutes an unjust law and argues that such laws perpetuate discrimination and inequality. King's logical reasoning highlights the need for civil disobedience as a means to challenge these unjust laws.

Table of contents

Prompt examples for letter from birmingham jail essay, letter from birmingham jail essay example.

• Rhetorical Devices and Strategies: Analyze the various rhetorical devices and strategies used by Martin Luther King Jr. in his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," including ethos, pathos, logos, and parallelism, and discuss how they contribute to the effectiveness of his argument.
• King's Audience and Purpose: Examine Dr. King's intended audience and his purpose in writing the letter, considering how he tailors his rhetoric to address the concerns and objections of his readers while advocating for civil rights and nonviolent protest.
• The Power of Civil Disobedience: Discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s defense of civil disobedience as a means of achieving social change, and analyze how he justifies the necessity of breaking unjust laws in pursuit of justice.
• The Legacy of Dr. King's Letter: Explore the enduring impact and relevance of "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in contemporary discussions of civil rights, social justice, and the ongoing struggle for equality, considering how Dr. King's words continue to inspire and inform activism today.
• Racial Injustice and Equality: Analyze Dr. King's passionate and eloquent arguments against racial injustice and segregation in America, and discuss how his letter contributes to the broader discourse on racial equality and human rights.

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in The Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Works cited.

• Carson, C. (1992). The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Grand Central Publishing.
• Carson, C. (2001). The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. University of California Press.
• Erickson, R. (2012). "Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter From Birmingham Jail' as Pauline Epistle," Journal of Religion and Society, vol. 14, pp. 1-12.
• Fisher, J. (2013). "Linguistic and Communicative Strategies in Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter From Birmingham Jail'," Rhetoric Society Quarterly, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 213-231.
• King, M.L. (1963). "Letter From Birmingham Jail," The Atlantic, August 1963.
• King, M.L. (1991). "Letter From Birmingham Jail," in A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., James Melvin Washington (Ed.). HarperCollins.
• Oates, S.B. (1990). Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. HarperCollins.
• Schmittroth, L. (2011). "Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter From Birmingham Jail' and the Limits of Liberalism," Philosophy & Rhetoric, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 218-241.
• Washington, J.M. (1986). A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. HarperOne.
• Wilson, B.L. (2014). "The Composition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter From Birmingham Jail'," Rhetoric Review, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 251-267.

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