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An Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote the letter from Birmingham jail in 1963. He wrote it while he had been in jail for eleven days. Dr. King at the time had many supporters, but he also had several haters who disagreed with his beliefs and values. Martin Luther King, Jr. received hate from people in leadership position, but he continued to proclaim freedom and racial equality. The purpose of “ Letter from Birmingham Jail” deals with a response from Dr. King to his critics and “ clergymen”. Dr. King desired to make his followers aware of the problems that were occurring in Birmingham, so that they could in some way help him. Dr. King’s letter serves as a historic and well-known document that became part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Dr. King begins …show more content…
King wrote “ Letter from Birmingham Jail”, yet his central reason as to give a firm answer to all his followers, and critics. His response consists of historic content and Christian knowledge. Dr. King uses both pathos and ethos throughout his letter as he appeals to the emotional and logical senses of his readers. Moreover, his appeals make the letter both persuasive and argumentative kind of essay. Martin Luther King, Jr. attempts to understand his audience of clergymen and their background as well as facing their criticism. Statements such as “ I beg you to forgive me” and “ Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our ending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood” demonstrate how clear and transparent Dr. King dream to be freed from oppression (King 336, …show more content…
King is writing specifically to the clergymen that kept criticizing him while he was in jail. Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly states who is audience is by beginning the letter with, “ My Dear Fellow Clergymen:” (King 331). However, King had several audiences to whom he directs his message. His audience included people from the north, the church of America, the black community, government officials in Birmingham, and the white community. Dr. King speaks directly to the church when he writes, “ If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity…and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.” (King 339). Martin Luther King, Jr. encourages all his audiences to find the correct way of protest and “nonviolent action” in order to create equality among all people.
All in all, “ Letter from Birmingham Jail” illustrates Martin Luther King, Jr.’s goal of racial injustice to be eliminated. Dr. King writes directly to his supporters in hopes that they would understand his point of view and he also addresses his critics in order to make his plan straightforward to them. The appeals of emotion and logic are evident in the letter as Dr. King desires to explain the reason why there needs to be equality in America. Additionally, Dr. King encourages the elimination of bitterness among the white and black

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