Ethos Pathos Logos In Letter From Birmingham Jail

The right to fight

Martin Luther King Jr. faced many difficulties when he visited Birmingham, but one he did not expect to face was the discrimination of his fellow clergymen, who stated that his decision to travel was unwise. King responded to their comment with the “Letter from Birmingham jail”. A well written piece which was eloquently written and geared to effectively prove to his peers that he deserves and has the right to be in Birmingham, having a profound effect on his audience due to his expert use of pathos, ethos, and logos. This provides a myriad of references and reasons to address the inhumanity of segregation, as well as his personal struggle to dissolve

This reference particularly stands out due to the vast amount of religious individuals following the Bible’s teachings; comparing oneself to Jesus and his associates has incredible potential to increase the following for a cause if it is just. King also used an alternate mood to address pathos, invoking sadness, disgust, and discomfort to describe horrific events which occurred during non-violent protests. "Like so many experiences of the past we were confronted with blasted hopes, and the dark shadow of a deep disappointment settled upon us.” Because King assumes that his audience has experienced disappointment, this statement provokes sympathy, understanding, and support by stating that African Americans had already gone through many trials and tribulations just as many other people have around the world. This creates a bond between king and his audience, showing that his followers and he himself aren’t any more different from white people than any other

King wisely prefaces his letter by saying, “But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.” King clearly states his intentions in writing the letter and addresses the audience as an equal, conveying companionship and brotherhood rather than bluntly arguing their thoughts to be incorrect and his reigning superior. In doing this, he makes it more likely for his audience to listen to his thoughts more with an open heart instead of becoming angered by his response, increasing the likelihood of the audience feeling understanding and respecting king as a person and as a leader.
A particular section of King’s letter provides ample proof of his qualification to lead a revolution and crush the arguments of those who doubt him and his actions. “I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference” This not only shows how powerful King’s organization is, but exemplifies the meaning of brotherhood and companionship; providing statistics as to how large the SCLC is, with over 85 supporting organizations fighting for equal rights despite the daunting task at