In the 1950’s and 1960’s many American citizens were fighting for civil rights for African Americans. Among them was Martin Luther King Junior, who was thrown into jail for nonviolently protesting for his God given rights. Passionate and informative, Martin Luther King Junior’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” letter defends the actions of the protestors and inspires the clergymen and the rest of America to change their views on civil rights. Martin Luther King effectively validates his actions and urges the clergymen and the nation to form a brotherhood through his tone, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical tools.
King’s ardent and illuminating tone justifies his actions and inspires a nation. He is defending his actions against the clergymen. …show more content…
He utilizes pathos to appeal to the clergymen’s emotions. The Birmingham police brutalize the nonviolent African American protestors. They spray them with giant fire hoses, unleash biting dogs onto them, and slap and kick men, women, and children. King is exposing the Birmingham Police Department on their inhumane treatment of the African Americans to try to urge the clergymen to feel for them. Furthermore, Martin Luther King describes how the African American people have always been abused and scorned. They have been putting in backbreaking work for their masters for centuries, and in return they receive brutal injustice and shameful humiliation. Additionally, King wants this letter to stir up some faith in the clergymen. He wants this letter to make a difference in their perspective of civil rights, and to clinch their emotions. King persists for the clergymen to feel for them and to understand why they are trying to fight for their rights. As well as pathos, King also uses logos to further his plead. King validates the fact that “if the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail” (2). Nothing will stop these citizens from fighting for their rights, and this inspires people to fight with them. Similarly, King states that even if their motives are misunderstood, they still will reach the goal of freedom. Even if the church does not come to their …show more content…
With his firm tone, effective appeals, and logical tools, King validates his actions and urges the clergymen to make a change. King stood tall amongst the clergymen like a mighty tree in a great
King’s ardent and illuminating tone justifies his actions and inspires a nation. He is defending his actions against the clergymen. …show more content…
He utilizes pathos to appeal to the clergymen’s emotions. The Birmingham police brutalize the nonviolent African American protestors. They spray them with giant fire hoses, unleash biting dogs onto them, and slap and kick men, women, and children. King is exposing the Birmingham Police Department on their inhumane treatment of the African Americans to try to urge the clergymen to feel for them. Furthermore, Martin Luther King describes how the African American people have always been abused and scorned. They have been putting in backbreaking work for their masters for centuries, and in return they receive brutal injustice and shameful humiliation. Additionally, King wants this letter to stir up some faith in the clergymen. He wants this letter to make a difference in their perspective of civil rights, and to clinch their emotions. King persists for the clergymen to feel for them and to understand why they are trying to fight for their rights. As well as pathos, King also uses logos to further his plead. King validates the fact that “if the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail” (2). Nothing will stop these citizens from fighting for their rights, and this inspires people to fight with them. Similarly, King states that even if their motives are misunderstood, they still will reach the goal of freedom. Even if the church does not come to their …show more content…
With his firm tone, effective appeals, and logical tools, King validates his actions and urges the clergymen to make a change. King stood tall amongst the clergymen like a mighty tree in a great