Figurative language and literary devices are utilized in “Letters to Birmingham,” by Martin Luther King Jr. to persuade his fellow clergymen to understand his reasoning behind protest. Evidence from the text that correlates with his intended purpose can be seen from the statement “As in so many experiences in the past, we were confronted with blasted hopes, and the dark shadow of a deep disappointment settled upon us.” This example supports the author in getting his purpose across by using figurative languages to convey the emotions of the black community and their discontent for waiting until an agreeable time. King also uses an allusion to a famous religious member and political commentator in, “Individuals may see the moral light and give
Martin Luther King was a very powerful speech writer, as well as great at getting the point across through paper. In two of his most famous works of art, “I Have a Dream” and “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” he uses many different types of writing tools. Some of these writing tools include, analogies, rhetorical questions, and repetition. Some tools are only used in one or the other because it either wouldn’t make sense, or it would bring down the strength of the words within the work. The use of analogies is very common in his work.
This is critical because it gives a sense of urgency. The description of the “...quicksand of racial injustice” and the “...solid rock of human dignity...” paints a picture of the real-life issues of society. Moreover, King also uses pathos and emotional language to get the reader's attention. In addition, it pulls at the reader’s heartstrings. Dr. King uses words such as “destructively” and “appalling silence” to help us understand what King is trying to convey.
MLK never tries to come across as arrogant or above anyone else. However, he purposely used these factual and biblical references, as well as quotes from inspiring people, in order for the audience to gain intense faith in King and force them to truly believe in him. He used this tactic in order to prove his message of how a bar for social justice and equality is possible and has been set for the people to reach. In addition to establishing the logos appeal within Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, he also conveyed brilliant diction through his use of repetition, passionate word choice, and vivid imagery. For example, he used repetition
In the letter from the Birmingham jail, Dr. Martin Luther King used imagery, rhetorical devices, and metaphors to help print images, emotions and help persuade the clergymen to see from his and other African American’s point of view, and also persuade them to take action to justify the unjust going on. King uses imagery to help appeal to the clergy and connect with them. In paragraph 6 King says “... the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community.” This imagery uses engulf to an image of the injustice in the community. King uses imagery to explain how Birmingham is unjust towards blacks.
Shortly afterwards he was both criticized and applauded for his actions in the protest. During this time, King decided to write a letter to address those who questioned his actions. In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King effectively used the rhetorical strategy of describing to achieve his purpose of defending his reason for protesting, a model that can be applied to the upcoming portfolio project. Rhetorical Strategy In his letter, King uses several rhetorical strategies, however one that stood out to me if the strategy of describing.
In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses vivid imagery to argue that due to racial inequality, King’s demonstrations are justified. King brings up the harsh truth of the violence experienced by African Americans by saying that daily, "vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will... drown your sisters and brothers at whim." and that "hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters;" (King 14). King vividly describes racial inequality with terms such as "vicious mobs" and "hate-filled policemen. " King uses pathos to show that, due to the racial violence, African Americans are justified in the demonstrations and their fight for social justice.
In response to the ill-informed and “unwise” “clergymen”, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “Letters to Birmingham” and illustrated the cognizant and fitting demonstration -that was aimed to further dispel the hateful, horrific segregation of African- Americans and White persons- which ultimately led the police to violate the peaceful demonstration with “attack dogs” and “high-pressure fire hoses” and thus is confirmation for King’s just actions, fueled by alienation brought on by white power. King appeals to his readers’ emotions by highlighting the “340 years” African- Americans have waited for their “constitutional and God- given rights”. He goes on to illustrate the horrors of being black in White America, writing of watching his
Certainly well as motivating message was one very clear and accurate. It can be confirmed through the reaction of the people, where he managed to capture thousands of followers who believed and still believe in its principles. King Jr. showed with action and example his position, which generated respect for the listener. For example, we can see in the video the constant attention of listeners to the message, the quorum, and the ovation approving and accepting to his call. And myself evaluating Martin Luther King Jr. as a speaker from 1 to 10, will certainly apply the highest score.
Martin Luther King was an African-American Baptist minister who also was an activist and one of the most known spokespersons and leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech and wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, which was very impactful to the civil rights movement. Both of these texts from Dr. King consist of the same rhetorical devices but are used in different ways. In the “I Have a Dream” speech, King uses rhetorical devices like the basics: Ethos, Pathos, Logos, and plenty more. In this speech, he uses these devices to show the pain and struggle African Americans went through and how he has hope for the world that it can all change.
To open the eyes of the American government, that sends soldiers - black or white - to aid Vietnam in their national struggle of continuous wars, Martin Luther King Junior bespeaks his dismay. King appeals to his audience through a strong language of pathos, in order to reach a goal of protecting American soldiers. King appeals to his audience, which consisted of American citizens, about the wrong methods that America have adopted to fight wars .He uses personal experiences as rhetorical devices to link his emotions with the audience. He mentions that Americans as a whole suffer from this upsurge in violence, and not just their soldiers.
A few years back we had people like Rosa Parks who was willing to sacrifice her freedom for equality. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for what is right and, is not scared to tell people what he felt. In his speech, I have a dream By Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. He explains about the injustice that’s affecting thousands of Americans.
On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy gave his remarks on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Robert’s goal was to inform people on Martin Luther King’s journey and to strengthen people’s attitudes on the whole situation. Robert’s main points throughout the speech were how the country as a whole should move forward, why the states should not resort to violence but unity instead, and he also addressed that the country needed unity, love, and compassion.
In the year of 1963, on August 28 was a speech given by Dr Martin Luther King JR. On the mArch of Washington, the purpose of the speech was to end segregation on blacks and whites against discrimination. The speech is considered a seminal US document because this was a very important moment of history. First of all, on August 28, 1963, on the Lincoln Memorial. Dr. Martin Luther King JR, is trying to make a statement that Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves.
Martin Luther King 's uses various literary devices such as metaphors, personification, similes, and imagery in his speech so that his audience would be able to better understand and visual what he is saying. An example of a metaphor in King 's speech is when he compares the deprivation of African American rights with "a bad check that has come back from the bank of injustice marked with insufficient funds". He states that we must cash a check that will give us the riches of freedom and security of justice. This metaphor is referring to the freedom and rights that African American 's deserve and are promised but are not given. An example of personification in his speech is "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
