No class today, as we observe along with the rest of the nation Martin Luther King Day. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” not only represents an important moment in the civil rights struggle, it is a terrific example of argumentative prose. The letter (written April 12, 1963) is specifically addressed to eight white Alabama clergymen. Though sympathetic to the cause for which King and others were arguing, these clergymen had criticized the need for public protests such as the one for which King had been arrested. (The photograph is of King inside the Birmingham jail.) Even though the letter is addressed to the clergymen, King obviously had a wider audience in mind. King employs several rhetorical strategies (that is, ways of arguing) to convince his readers of the need for racial equality. As you read King’s “Letter,” try to identify some of those strategies. Where is he particularly effective in making his case, and why?
(If you are interested in some more context for the letter, here’s an interesting site that tells a bit about the protest, King’s arrest, and some reactions/consequences.)
As before, leave your comments below. Don’t post anonymously -- when you are asked to “Choose an identity,” go ahead and select “Other” and then type in your name.
9 comments:
The main section I felt King's argument was when he appealed to my emotions through descriptions of violence and segregation (DR 550). This section probably strongly resounded within me because I was fortunate enough to see the movie FREEDOM WRITERS yesterday, and many of King's emotional appeals reminded me of the movie. [The movie was a true story and it's site is here: http://www.freedomwriters.com/.] The movie follows an English class in California [around 1992 I think] that is divided by racial tensions. The class in the movie proceeds to cleanse themselves of these racial tensions through the study of various social movements in history, such as Civil Rights. If King wishes to persuade his readers of anything in his writing, I believe he wishes the reader to turn away from any social injustice and move toward true peace, which Augustine defines as no only the non-existence of war, but also all things in the correct order with respect to God.
Brian Zinser
I agree with Brian, that Martin Luther King Jr. was probably particularly effective in making his case for racial equality when he uses many examples of the ill treatment towards African-Americans (DR 550). However, I do not believe King was most effective here through appealing to the audience's emotions, but appealing to its intellect. After all, do we not believe in something because we KNOW it is right, not because we FEEL it is right? I think that on page 550, King is trying to show his audience why racial equality is true through logic. King says, "justice too long delayed is justice denied" (550). He emphisizes the point in his next paragraph by giving examples of ill treated African-Americans. Above all, as Brian pointed out, King emphisized that he was following God's will.
On a separate note, I find it very interesting how King makes the distinction between just and unjust laws; just like in Plato's "Crito."
Amy Graziano
patrick kuhlman
King's emotional and intellectual appeals are extremely effective throughout the letter's entirety. However, what I felt was King's singlemost useful technique in making his point was his use of rhetorical questions. King not only makes his points, but also anticipates the opponents' criticisms. King questions, "You may well ask: 'Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches, and so forth? Isn't negotiation a better path?' " Not only does he ask these questions, but King also provides impenetrable, rock solid answers which very few people could dispute. The letter is inundated with these self-asked questions and answers. He masterfully presents his beliefs, views, and actions in such a manner that practically no rational human being would disagree with them. King's excellent use of logic and rhetoric leaves the reader automatically and rationally agreeing with the points he is successfully making throughout his writing.
I agree with what everyone says. King is effective in making his case because of his descriptions and the emotions he draws from his readers. But like Patrick, I think King uses his rhetorical questions to really make his argument. Even more so, King uses classic rehtoric by making an apology. King writes,
If I have said anything in this letter that overstates the truth and indicates an unreasonable impatience, I beg you to forgive me.
King then goes on to ask God to forgive him if he has done wrong.
I found it very powerful when King writes this because it makes the rest of the letter stronger.
I agree with Brian that Freedom Writers plays out many of the emotions as Dr.King. If anyone hasn't seen the movie I highly recommend going to.
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