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We Cant Wait Rhetorical Devices

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Martin Luther Kings introduction in "We Cant Wait" shows the reality of social life for blacks, revealing the hash truth, and then pushing the black community to rise up in nonviolent oppression. King uses to anecdote, didactic, and emotional appeal to strengthen the influence of his cause and combat the injustice this world has come to know. Martin Luther king uses anecdote in his writing to show how a brief story can be used to represent a greater meaning. By giving the short story of a small boy from Harlem and a girl from Birmingham, it reveals how although they might be thousands of miles apart, they are experiencing the same persecution and degradation because of their skin color. They both question "Why does misery constantly haunt the negro?" This leads to not only questioning the present situation of blacks in America, but the past that led to this segregation that is so deeply rooted in their country. Although they had heard that all their lives they were set free , neither child believed that this freedom equaled equality. By saying things such as "freedom had a dull ring" it implies …show more content…

In his narration he uses a prominent form of didactic to teach a moral lesson about inequality and the false freedom these blacks had which in the end inspired these blacks to unite as one body. By using a short story to connect with the audience, he is able to also connect deeper levels by drawing parallels from the story and our daily lives. As the children" took a firm, forward step", Martin Luther k was alluding to the idea that black society should also take an important step, a step towards unity and equality. Once these children took a step in the story, it "rocked the richest, most powerful nation to its foundations". this is just another way martin illustrated to powerful effects of fighting for your freedom, and for your

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In doing so, he writes about the horrible things that have occurred in Birmingham. For instance, the negro man was humuliated on a daily basis by being called “nigger” and denied the decency of being called by his name. In addition, Dr. King appeals to every parent in the nation by relating their children to the negro children.

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Martin Luther King’s utilization of pathos and rhetorical questions in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” allows him to adequately advocate for civil rights for African Americans. MLK’s convincing use of pathos is shown in paragraph 23, where he wrote, “If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail.” This quote was intended to make the white bishops who he was responding to feel guilty, as slavery was perpetrated by some of their ancestors. Furthermore, this quote shows the general enthusiasm of African Americans and affiliates to push for the repealing of unfair laws of segregation. This is shown by African Americans being able to persevere through slavery and that segregationist laws

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In “Letter to Birmingham Jail”, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. states that, “We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.’” His statement expresses his view that the term “wait” is much thought of as “never” to many Negroes, for if change does not happen immediately, the change will never be made. King’s main rhetorical strategy is taking his periodic sentence in paragraph fourteen and attempting to grab at the reader’s emotions, placing them into his and many other Negroes’ harsh daily situations. He goes on to state that, “It is easy for those who have never the stinging darts of segregation to say ‘wait’.” King’s meaning behind this statement reveals a fact of whites being unfamiliar

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King also elaborates on a few emotional details to establish a connection with his audience. King expresses great sadness as he takes the time to recall several painful experiences that he and other people of color know all too well. He confronts the clergymen about what it is like to have “vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim” (King 2). He even goes on to expose the “hate-filled policemen” who “curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity” (King 2). Dr. King ends by declaring that “There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over and men are no longer willing to be plunged into an abyss of injustice where they experience the bleakness of corroding despair” (King 2).

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King’s main focus in Why We Can’t Wait is the breakthrough year, 1963, as the beginning of the Negro Revolution,

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Unlike many great civil right leaders that tried to end segregation, Martin Luther King did not just talk about the problem that they were facing in his speeches or letters. He included well thought throughout plans that will help solve the problems peacefully and he actually did get some things done from leading the African American civil right movement. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King uses valid historical context and figures to make his point. He also uses pathos, logos and ethos to affectively support his argument that what he was doing was just.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a lengthy letter called "Letter from Birmingham Jail," to respond to a public statement of concern which was expressed by eight white clergymen from the South. In this letter, King defends his action and also describes how his nonviolent direct action is an effective way to resist against racism and segregation. In paragraph 14 and 15 of his letter, King uses parallelism and historical allusions to emphasize the blatant cruelties that colored people faced which create pathos and to express his thoughts for obeying and breaking “just or unjust” laws. In paragraph 14, King connects with Pathos, when he shows examples of painful experiences that the colored people, including himself, felt.

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“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” Fortunately, King’s and other people’s hope was completed but it wasn’t an easy task to do. During the time King was writing the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, the African-American Civil Rights Movement was proceeding. Men and Women were protesting for the equal rights of “colored people”, to overcome racial injustice in the USA and Martin Luther King Jr. was a major part of it. He was one of the main leaders of this movement; this

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Slavery had been abolished by the time Martin Luther King Jr. had grown up, but the aftermath was still being sorted out, with him leading the charge to fix the wrongs committed against African Americans. After a peaceful protest, he was sent to Birmingham Jail, where he would write a letter. He could’ve paused to answer criticisms but he didn’t, only wrote the letter to appeal to the masses whose rights were limited and lives were under constant bereavement. This letter would apply to these masses, and in turn, call upon their humanity, morals, and ethics. MLK went on to state the reasons he was in Birmingham at all.

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In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” he uses periodic sentences, syntax, diction, and allusions to write about his beliefs about the immense struggles African Americans experienced to gain their rights, how he views just and unjust laws, the many different influences have in their lives, and the cruel nature of the citizens, which are still prevalent today. First of all, African Americans went through immense struggles to get the rights they have today. African Americans watched their family members be innocently killed, experienced multiple cruel acts of segregation, and often felt strong resentment to the White population. For instance, Dr. King uses a periodic sentence and imagery to express the immense struggles African Americans endured to gain the

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Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.

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Another rhetorical device is the common ground he establishes in his last sentence where he writes, "This is the story of Why We Can't Wait" (King 98-99). He uses the word 'We', connecting with the audience and ensuring them that together they will bring change to social conditions and attitudes. The third section is King's call for change. In conclusion, Martin Luther King Jr helps Black Americans realize their reality, importance and roots and convinces them of changes to social conditions and attitudes. King decides to take a stand against racism but he can not do it alone.

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“...when you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are 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. 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. I hope, sirs, you can understand our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.” (MLK, 276). King uses this strong sense of appeal to emotion to engross his readers and let them know how hard it is for them.

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His speech can be divided into two parts, his call to action of the situation african Americans were living in. How some Americans are blinded to stitution “ refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt”. ( Luther) That there is no better time than now to improve this racial

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