Literary Analysis Essay on Letter From Birmingham Jail

Introduction

Martin Luther King wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail" when he was imprisoned in Birmingham, Alabama. He had been locked up for planning and organizing a peaceful protest against racial discrimination by the city government of Birmingham and downtown small traders. Martin Luther King was writing to respond to some Alabama clergymen who had a perspective that social prejudices, wrongful deeds and racial discrimination should be handled in the courts rather than be brought to the streets (Tiefenbrun 255). Hence, Luther employed his mastery and experience to express the problems of the African Americans by embracing logos, ethos and pathos to create belief in his readers and impact their actions.

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Martin Luther King systematically uses logos when writing his letter to deal with the facts of the scenario in a way the white clergymen fail to do. He states some reasons for his arguments. For instance, he introduces the letter by explaining the reason he believes the assertions from the white clergymen are wrong. Luther says that black people can only use direct action as the only option to demand their rights (Tiefenbrun 260). Direct action includes boycotts, marches and rallies, letter-writing, campaigns, and other non-violent ways. He supports his argument by stating countries whose forefathers never used good-faith peacemaking methods as they fought for their rights and freedoms. He strains on the use of direct action and cites early black leaders who could talk about matters that affected black people after having used direct force. He says that though black activists could end their protests, racial discrimination continued and black people still suffered. This gives a perfect instance where Luther considers logos in his work. Luther considers logos when he says that " I have nearly come to a distressful ending that the black people's biggest obstacle in his step regarding freedom is the white moderate who is more dedicated to 'order' than to 'fairness' (King Jr). He quotes about an elderly black lady whose soul is at rest, but her feet are tired. The lady though not learned knows that inequity and discrimination in the society have led to her suffering. This shows that the nation understands very well all about racial segregation in the community (Harrison 577).

Martin Luther King also uses ethos to talk to his readers in his letter. For example, in the first argument, he tries to dispute the views raised in conjunction with the reports given by the white clergymen. Luther perceives his honesty in the following paragraph when he contradicts the views suggested by the white clergymen. What helps to create and ascertain his integrity is the fact that he is the head of the Southern Christian Leadership conference (King Jr). Luther also applies the use of pathos when writing his letter and this helps in establishing emotions in the letter. There are some instances in the letter that bring out emotional appeal. For example, pathos is evident in the end of the letter. The authorities are congratulated for maintaining law and order and preventing violence and brutality (Harrison 577).

Despite the letter having been written in 1963, it is still relevant up to date. People are always being criticized for protesting at the wrong place or at the wrong time. The black community is still struggling to fight against racism, segregation and prejudice (Harrison 577). Every year different African Americans are murdered brutally by the authorities unlawfully. Children are orphaned at a very young age, and the black society is viewed as evil and outcast by the other communities. Injustice happenings always affect everyone in the city. We still need people like King Luther who can address human values like justice, fairness and reconciliation in a thoughtful and dignified way. Fighting against unjust laws using non-violent methods in the current society are essential. Justice is divine and should not conflict with the morals of its people (Tiefenbrun 287). No justice in a bill is morally sinful and do not correspond to the law of God. King is a leader who is committed to helping his people, and he is not afraid to go to jail because of disobeying unjust laws. This action is very patriotic.

Like King Luther, it is essential to be passionate about equality and how all people should be treated equally under civil law. It feels so bad when Luther describes how difficult it is to tell his daughter that she cannot go to an amusement park because she is an African American. People should come together in the world and fight against racial discrimination and unjust laws. People who encourage racial segregation and go against the law should face the consequences. This will help reduce cases of innocent people being murdered and protests happening every time and then. Equality among people is fundamental and should be embraced at all time. Therefore, Luther employed his mastery and experience to express the problems of the African Americans by embracing logos, ethos and pathos in order to create belief in his readers and impact their actions.

Works Cited

Harrison, Cecile E. "Roots of Resistance: The Nonviolent Ethic of Martin Luther King, Jr. By William D. Watley. Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1985. 159 pp. $12.95." (1989): 576-577.

King Jr, Martin Luther. "Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)." Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents (1963).

Tiefenbrun, Susan. "Semiotics and Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"." Law & Literature 4.2 (1992): 255-287.