Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

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In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution ended slavery. Nearly a century later, African Americans continue to struggle for equality under the law. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped bring these problems to light. Dr. Martin Luther King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial to thousands of people. He was speaking about the racial injustices that had engulfed the country, and how it was time for change. Dr. King also wrote his “Letter From Birmingham Jail”. But this was pertaining to a much smaller audience. He was addressing the criticism he was getting from eight white clergymen. And in both of these pieces, Dr. King uses pathos and logos.
Dr. Martin Luther King's famous speech “I Have a Dream” appeals to both emotions, and logical thinking. Dr. King uses logos in the following quote “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the emancipation proclamation.”
“Five score years ago, a great american, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the emancipation proclamation.” (King pg 261) He appeals to the audience when he talks about the symbolic shadow they
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King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” also uses both logos and pathos. Dr. King uses logos in the following quote. “I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes.” He is speaking directly to the white clergymen. King is addressing their lack of consideration for the other side of things. Dr. King also appeals to emotions, for example Dr. King brings in pathos here, “I cannot sit idly by in atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (King Pg 272) He uses charged language when referring to injustice. Dr. King arouses emotions when speaking on behalf of him concern for injustice anywhere; not just in one

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