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Rhetorical Devices In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a minister, spokesperson, activist, and civil rights leader, wrote “Letter From Birmingham Jail” specifically to the eight clergymen who addressed his unlawful acts, but the message is also intended for Christians and the people of the whole nation. Martin Luther King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail uses parallelism to emphasize the extent that discriminatory actions happened in Birmingham and in the U.S, allusion to justify his actions, and antithesis to contrast two ideas and eventually persuade the clergymen and all others that nonviolent protest will help end racial segregation. He also uses the rhetoric to defend his actions. Dr. King uses a list of rhetorical devices in his letter. One device that stood …show more content…

uses biblical allusions to make analogies between him and figures in the Bible. Using this type of rhetoric appeals to his religious audience by showing his reasoning for his unlawful resistance and by proving that he is only following god's will. Using allusion justifies King’s actions and gives him a credibility that is based upon religion. King references a biblical situation saying, “It was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar” (266). He uses this to show a connection in faith with his audience. In the book of Daniel they, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, defy the Laws of the King Nebuchadnezzar. They defied his laws because of religious beliefs. Dr. King using this reference gives the clergymen a reason to accept Kings’ civil disobedience. Another biblical reference King makes is in the 31st paragraph where he states, “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” (369). King first builds up these analogies to gain the attention of his religious followers. He’s using Jesus to compare their ideas and convince his audience that they are extremists. Referencing Jesus connects a majority of the nation because a lot of them worshipped Jesus Christ and a lot

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Knowing this King uses allusions all through the letter to constantly remind the clergymen that the idea of segregation is directly opposing what their religious texts are stating. He also compares the plight of the African Americans to that of the teachings of Jesus Christ and his journey through adversity. King alludes to the spread of Christianity when he says, “Just as the Apostle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to practically every hamlet and city of the Greco-Roman world, I too am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.” (1) This gives King the advantage to make himself into a sort of martyr by comparing his journey to spread his belief of racial equality to that of the people who spread the Christian faith and made it into a nationally recognized religion.

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