parallelism in letter from birmingham jail
King strategically persuades. Other than the speechs heartwarming and moving content, Kings effective structure along with the usage of all three rhetorical modes and certain rhetorical tropes and schemes has revealed the reason I Have a Dream as a masterpiece of rhetoric and it persuades hundreds of thousands of people support the blacks instead of treating them. King's letter from Birmingham Jail addresses the American society, particularly the political and religious community of the American society. He goes on to add; I am in Birmingham because injustice is here (King 1). In the Letter from Birmingham Jail written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., King addressed the concerns of the white clergy and gave support to the direct action committed by African Americans. Throughout the letter critics are disproved through Kings effective use of diction and selection of detail. This evidence, revealing MLKs use of pathos, was used to reach out to the emotional citizens who have either experienced or watched police brutality. Choose one type of reason and cite an example from these lines. Similarly, King uses pathos to trigger the emotional . He is a firm believer that Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (262). Amidst the intense Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and put in solitary confinement for peacefully protesting racial discrimination and injustice in Birmingham, Alabama. His passionate tone flowed through these strategies, increasing their persuasive power on the people and encouraging them to follow/listen to his message on racial injustice. The "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was written by the African American hero Dr. Martin Luther King in Birmingham back in 1963, addressing the issues that the African Americans faced back in that time. While his actions may not have had much success at first during the 1960s what made his arguments so powerful was his use of pathos and logos., In Dr. Martin Luther Kings letter from Birmingham, he targeted specific people who he wrote the letter for including everybody. He uses parallelism by repeating I had hoped to ironically accuse his attackers. King responds with complete confidence that he is in the right place at the right time, and that his actions are necessary. Writers commonly use parallelism when there is a pair or a series of elements, or in the headlines or outlines of a document. Parallelism takes many forms in literature, such as anaphora, antithesis, asyndeton, epistrophe, etc. Parallelism In Speech From Birmingham Jail | ipl.org Letter from Birmingham Jail Literary Devices Analysis - Storyboard That The eight clergymen in Birmingham released a public statement of caution regarding the protesters actions as unwise and untimely (King 1), to which Martins letter is a direct response. Parallelism/ Juxtaposition. Read these passages aloud, and as you do so, feel their undeniable passion and power. Note: All essays placed on IvyMoose.com are written by students who kindly donate their papers to us. In the letter, Dr. King uses ethos, diction, and allusions when defending nonviolent protest which makes his argument really strong. His writing is respectful and educated, if not naturally, to invalidate the use of his race against him by the largely prejudiced audience. One of the challenges that he faced included being criticized because of what he believed in concerning the laws of segregation. 25 terms. The following well-known adage is an example of parallelism: "Give a . PDF Letter from a Birmingham Jail: The Rhetorical Analysis Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail is undeniably effective at responding to the rhetorical situation at hand. Dr. King often used repetition and parallel construction to great emotional effect when he spoke. These "parallel" elements can be used to intensify the rhythm of language, or to draw a comparison, emphasize, or elaborate on an idea. The Rhetorical Situation of Letter from Birmingham Jail Divided there is little we can dofor we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder." - John F. Kennedy, "1961 First Inaugural Address" Letter from Birmingham Jail: Repetition BACK NEXT This guy knew how to write a speech. The constraints surrounding Martin Luther Kings rhetorical situation include the audience, the rhetorical exigence of the situation he is responding to, Dr. King himself, and the medium, all of which are deeply connected. To summarize, Martin Luther Kings rhetoric is effective and ultimately changed the course of the Civil Rights movement for the better. Emotional appeal uses intense words and charged language to grab listeners to get them to keep listening. Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail In his "Letter form a Birmingham Jail" and his "I have a Dream speech, Dr. King uses metaphor, repetition and parallel structure to provide visual images which may evoke empathy in the readers and audience and emphasize the ideas he presents: the argument for civil rights and the goal to end segregation. Not only was this a social division, but those who opposed King were reinforced by the respective legislature that sought to burden him. Likewise, King creates logos as he employs another antithetical statement that demonstrates the timeliness of his argument: Never voluntarily given by the oppressor must be demanded by the oppressed; Jet-like speed horse-and-buggy pace (518). Because of his skill in creating such pieces of writing, as well as his influential role within the Civil Rights Movement, and the reminder that Letter from Birmingham Jail provides of these trying times, his letter should continue to be included within A World of Ideas. In Kings speech he. The biases of the audience go hand in hand with the rhetorical exigence of this letter, another large constraint in the effectiveness of his message. He uses the rhetorical appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos numerous times throughout his essay to relay his argument about the laws of segregation and the African-Americans that are being cruelly treated.. Since Kings arrest he had time to think deeply about the situation; therefore, he decides to reply back to the Alabama clergymen. King addressed these communities as the primary groups wherein racial segregation is continuously proliferated (the white American political and religious community) and points much of his arguments to and for his fellow black Americans in the society. However King also deliberately wrote his letter for a national audience. Lastly, the exigence of a rhetorical piece is the external issue, situation, or event in which the rhetoric is responding to. Who had criticize Martin Luther King because he was simply doing something that was right and violence was not needed for King. Dr. King wrote 2 famous works, Dream and Birmingham and each had a different audience and purpose. While this fight had been raging for nearly 10 years, the release in 1963 was shortly followed by the Civil Rights Act in 1964. I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. In the Gettysburg Address Lincoln talks about how people fought the war and how people should honor their soldiers. you can use them for inspiration and simplify your student life. Dr. King brought people up and gave them hope that one day everything will be taken care of and we 'll all be happy, he said that one day we 'll have peace and love among each other. There are three main considerations to make while analysing a rhetorical situation: the constraints, the exigence, and the audience. Initially, the eight Birmingham clergymen are the audience and while they were not overtly racist, King uses rhetoric meant to have them understand his urgency. Constraints bring light to the obstacles this rhetoric may face, whether it be social, political, economical, etc. Metaphors, allusions, and rhetorical questions are used in the most skillful way to support his argument and ultimately convince his audience of the credibility behind his emotional, yet factual, claims. Bitzer, Lloyd F. The Rhetorical Situation.. 114, Jr., Martin Luther King. With the use of King's rhetorical devices, he described the ways of the Birmingham community and their beliefs, connected to the reader on an emotional level, and brought to light the overall issues dealing with segregation., The letter was ostensibly conceived in response to a letter that had recently run in a local newspaper which had claimed that the protest were "unwise and untimely." The eight clergymen in Birmingham released a public statement of caution regarding the protesters actions as unwise and untimely (King 1), to which Martins letter is a direct response. Martin Luther King Jr. twists the perspective of his audience -- Southern clergymen -- to create antithetic parallelism in Letter from Birmingham Jail. Not only does he use pathos to humanize himself, but he also uses it to humanize his immediate audience, the eight clergymen. These circumstances lead us to our next rhetorical focus: audience. His writing is respectful and educated, if not naturally, to invalidate the use of his race against him by the largely prejudiced audience. Why was the letter from Birmingham written? - Wise-Answer As a black man and pacifist-forward figurehead of the Civil Rights movement, the way Martin Luther is perceived is mostly dictated by preconceived biases and is rampant, widespread, and polarized. King understood that if he gained support from the white American, the civil rights movement would reach its goals much faster. First, King writes that the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. This antithesis makes the audience realize that the Negroes have been left behind and ignored while the rest of modern society has charged forward into prosperity and fortune. King does this in an effective and logical way. However, the racial divide was legislated in 1877 with the implementation of Jim Crow laws, which lasted until 1950. In order to do this, Martin Luther King uses several techniques in paragraph thirteen and fourteen of his letter such as repetition, personification, as well as allusion, to support his claim that racial unity has taken too long. King concludes with optimism about the future of the relationship between the currently segregated blacks and whites. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. All of these factors influence each other to shape rhetoric, which Bitzer describes as, pragmatic; it comes into existence for the sake of something beyond itself (3), with Martin Luther Kings. In his tear-jerking, mind-opening letter, King manages to completely discredit every claim made by the clergymen while keeping a polite and formal tone. We believe that King states in the first sentence himself that he does not usually comment upon the criticism of his work. One example of parallelism he uses is, But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity (Barnet and Bedau 741). His expressive language and use of argumentation make his case strong and convincing. However, in the months that followed, Kings powerful words were distributed to the public through civil rights committees, the press, and was even read in testimony before Congress (Letter from Birmingham Jail), taking the country by storm. In Kings letter, he states, We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right. Funny thing is he had lots of time to think about and write this letter. However, the racial divide was legislated in 1877 with the implementation of Jim Crow laws, which lasted until 1950. King had been arrested while participating in a peaceful anti-segregation march although several local religious groups counted on King for support. King chose to write this for a reason; to resonate with those who were not his enemies but who held back the movement through compliance. It was during this time that Dr. King, refusing to sit idly by, wrote his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, one of the most inspiring documents in history. In sum, all rhetoric has an external situation in which it is responding to. They fought for what they believed in but in vastly different ways. Throughout the text, King utilized the values of his audience to gain sympathy and later on support. He wrote the letter in response to criticisms made by white clergymen. His Letter from Birmingham Jail was the match. Found a perfect sample but need a unique one? He writes how the white church is often disappointed in the African Americans lack of patience and how they are quick to be willing to break laws. King uses pathos to invoke anger, sympathy and empathy, his impeccable use of logos makes his argument rational to everyone, and his use of ethos, especially the use of biblical references, makes his opinions more reliable. Parallelism In Letters From Birmingham Jail | ipl.org Letter From Birmingham Jail One of the most famous documents in American history is the 1963 letter written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from his jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama. Therefore, as King fabricates antithetic parallelism, he constructs logos and persuades the audience to take prompt action against injustice through the careful juxtaposition of inverse statements. He writes of his own problems that may apply to the daily struggles of the abused African, Parallelism In Speech From Birmingham Jail, Throughout the speech, another scheme King uses frequently is parallelism, the strategy of repeating similar clauses, several times. Dr. To get a high-quality original essay, click here. King specifically wrote to the white clergymen who had earlier addressed a letter to him as to why he was apprehended, in which they argued that his actions were untimely and unconstitutional. Dr. King responded to criticism that was made by clergymen about calling Dr. King activities as "Unwise and Untimely". There may have been advantages to broadcasting this message similarly to his I Have a Dream speech, which touched America deeply, due potentially to the accessible, instantaneous, and widespread coverage in American media. He deliberately tries to make the audience feel as if racial segregation is both wrong and against basic morals. Whether this be by newspaper, flyers, or restated by another in speech, the spread of information is slower and potentially more controllable. 50 Years Later, King's Birmingham 'Letter' Still Resonates On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a famous speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and freedom, this speech was called I have a dream. This speech was focused on ending racism and equal rights for African Americans during the civil rights movement. MLKs use of pathos and repetition is an effective way to persuade his audience about his position on civil disobedience. Through powerful, emotionally-loaded diction, syntax, and figurative language, King adopts a disheartened tone later shifts into a determined tone in order to express and reflect on his disappointment with the churchs inaction and his goals for the future. The main argument Dr. King is making in the letter is the protest being done in Birmingham is "wise" and most important "timely". In this example, King implements logos to create a cohesive argument that appeals to the rational side of his audience: Southern clergymen. Specifically he targeted the clergymen who made laws at that time. Saying it that way magnifies the imperative difference between the two types of laws. But immediately after Dr. King speaks out on how after 100 years Blacks still do not have the free will that is deserved. While the Civil Rights movement superseded the dismantling of Jim Crow, the social ideologies and lackadaisical legislature behind anti-black prejudice continued to rack the country far into the 1960s. He begins strongly by explaining why he is in Birmingham in the first place, stating, So I am herebecause we were invited here. Ethically most people believe that it is necessary to keep a promise. All of these factors influence each other to shape rhetoric, which Bitzer describes as, pragmatic; it comes into existence for the sake of something beyond itself (3), with Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail being a shining example. Furthermore, exterior events regarding the movement could ultimately reflect on his influence and polarize the audience further. By addressing his respect for the clergymen, feigned or not, he is acknowledging the effectiveness of respect to those in power, whether they may or may not deserve it. Active Themes. However, in the months that followed, Kings powerful words were distributed to the public through civil rights committees, the press, and was even read in testimony before Congress (Letter from Birmingham Jail), taking the country by storm. King is not speaking only of racism; he is speaking of injustice in general. King writes the letter to defend his organization's actions and the letter is also an appeal to the people, both the white and black American society, the social, political, and religious community, and the whole of American society to encourage desegregation and encourage solidarity and equality among all Americans, with no stratifications according to racial differences. From the very beginning of it , King brings his crowd back to the origin of America when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, that freed all slaves and gave hope to the former slaves. Who was he truly writing for? From this revelation, the audience will also realize that it is no fault of the Negro that they have been left behind in contrast, modern society have been dragging them back through racism. Original: Apr 16, 2013. During this letter, King then uses the time to unroot the occasion of nonviolent protests in BIrmingham and the disappointing leadership of the clergy. 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'"' is a clearly written essay that explains the reasons behind, and the methods of nonviolent civil disobedience, and gently expresses King's disappointment with those who are generally supportive of equal rights for African-Americans. Several clergy who negatively critiqued Kings approach of seeking justice, wrote A Call for Unity, arguing that his protests were senseless and improper. "A Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Analysis. The first to come to mind for most would be civil rights activism, as he was an instrumental figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In parallel structure, a writer repeats the same pattern of words or/and pattern of grammatical structure. In both of these writings Dr. King uses logos - logical persuasion - and pathos - emotional appeal - to change the opinions of people who were for segregation and against civil rights. Specifically, King's letter addresses three important groups in the American society: the white American political community, white American religious community, and the black American society. Martin Luther found himself arrested on the twelfth of April 1963 after leading a peaceful protest throughout Birmingham, Alabama after he defied a state courts injunction and led a march of black protesters without a permit, urging an Easter boycott of white-owned stores (Jr., Martin Luther King). Comparison Of Letter From Birmingham Jail And The Perils Of Indifference