Martin Luther King's Use of Pathos, Ethos, Logos in Birmingham Jail - Essay Sample

Introduction

The use of pathos, ethos, and logos has been vindicated in different parts in the "Birmingham Jail article" by Martin Luther king. Foundationally, pathos is primarily an appeal to emotion and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response. Ethos translates to the means of convincing someone of the character or even the credibility of the persuader. Logos is an appeal to logic and a way of persuading an audience with a valid reason.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Ethos

Martin Luther king employs the use of ethos in the first two paragraphs of the second page in his article in vindicating the organizational use of nonviolent resistance. He automatically embodies ethos for being known as an educated as well as a famous American figure of African descent. His work being a priest is an automatic ticket for sentimental trustworthiness. Furthermore, Martin builds ethos for himself when he starts talking about the events and the something in common; he shares with people he addresses. One of the iconic events he shared is the participation in the forthcoming mayoral elections. Dr. Martin candidly divulged that "Then it occurred to us that Birmingham's mayoral election was coming up in March, and we speedily decide to postpone action until after the Election Day." He said so as a defensive approach of his organization with the timing of the action surrounding the mayoral election. It was due to the reason behind the clergy claiming that their timing was not right in any way.

Logos

Martin Luther King employs the use of logos on the second page, intending to support the strategies of his organization for nonviolence. His examples are used logically in the explanation of the reason as to why nonviolent direct works. He says, "Nonviolent direct action seeks in creating such a crisis and fosters such a tension that the community is forced to the confrontation of the issue''. He defines the goal of nonviolent direct action. The main goal here is aggravating the whites to the extent of the ultimate give into reasonable negotiations. The author defends himself this was since he knows that the use of violence is incorrect and had a probability of resulting in blood spillage. Furthermore, King explains that the approach of nonviolence is geared at dramatizing the issue that shouldn't be disregarded. His statement deliberately supports his organizational ideologies of the use of nonviolence.

Pathos

Moreover, Dr. Martin employs the use of pathos in the fifth paragraph with a view of backing up his affiliation's pacifist approaches. He demystifies what the Southern segment would be like if only they resorted to the violent action, and, at the same time, the African Americans would tramp along if they complied with the segregation laws. He argues that the blood could have spilled in the South, were it not a philosophy of nonviolence. He attempts at convincing the readers by using a vivid as well as an emotional picture that the use of nonviolence is the best approach in attaining the neutrality. He also added that African Americans were supposed to get out their pent-up resentments and the latent frustrations. King also added that the African Americans who automatically adjusted to the segregation laws adopted self-respect, unlike those who repelled. He again indicated that nonviolent direct action is the best methodology to follow and, at the same time, defends his organization on the strategies of nonviolent direct action. He doesn't necessarily want them for being complainant nor violent and thinks that a pacifist in such a situation is the best option to choose and align with.

Frederick Douglass Article of Narrative

Fredrick Douglas employs the use of pathos, logos, and ethos in writing hi Narrative, thus demystifying about his life as an American slave as well as his cause over ten decades ago. At the same time, he uses the three devices in identifying himself to the readers in bringing emotion

Ethos

Fredrick employs the use of ethos right in chapter one when he says that he doesn't know about his birthday, unlike the white citizens who had freedom and knows all the details about their lives. It is therefore seen from his personal speech that he has devoted to seeing the slaves from being freed from the egregious bondage. The use of ethos begins with the abolitionist narrative starting with the preface by a famous abolitionist known by the name William Lloyd and the crucial letter from the abolitionist Wendell Philips. It respected men acts as witnesses, thus testifying to Douglass's good character.

The author, at the same time, builds credibility by majorly refusing to believe in the superstitions, thus depicting himself as an intelligent, hardworking, and a Christian. He focuses on Christianity through his narration. He specifically uses the element of Christianity in the demystification of the ethical irregularities essential to the practice of slavery. In chapter ten, in the character of Edward Covey looks at himself as a religious and a spiritual Christian attempting at swindling himself and God, although his actions expose him being nothing more than a two-faced sinner. Douglas clearly states that Covey's life was geared at devotionally planned and perpetrated to the grossest deceptions.

Pathos

Douglas demystifies the use of pathos in his writing, whereby he describes the cruel beating so of the slaves in vivid details. His eloquence inspires the reader to develop a sense of empathy whenever the reader persuades his work. From his accounts, he is seen as being powerful when de describes witnessing the abuse of other slaves as a terrified child. He explains in a quote, ''No words, no tears, no prayers seem to move his iron from its bloody purpose...I was quite a child, but still remember it...'' He vividly has a snapshot in his mind of what took place precisely during the time slaves were miserably beaten with no mercy.

Pathos can also be vividly seen in a section where Douglas prepares escaping. He explains that the thought of leaving his friends was the most painful thought he had to make. He also felt the pain of separation, and he depicted an element of hopelessness. Douglass, in this section, conveys several poignant emotions that are known to elicit sympathy in the reader. It is also clear from the narrative of the life of Fredrick Douglas that the author himself went from being a slave to a freeman. He purposely used the changeover, thus providing an identity geared in the provision of an outlet in which the reader can relate.

Logos

The author also employs the use of logos in his writing, whereby he says, 'My awkwardness was almost always his excuse for whipping me''. It was completely illogical for a man to be beaten by another man because of the awkwardness. It depicts the sense of ownership the slave masters felt that they had over the slaves. It had become a norm for another man to own another man, unlike in the contemporary world, where it is perceived as a total violation of human rights. At the same time, Douglas makes a convincing argument as a result of his well-drafted logical account. He employs the use of sophisticated vocabulary with specific verifiable names. His narration is fair and thereby give credit where it is due to avoid any possible accusations of unjust biasness.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the use of pathos, ethos, and logos in the above two scenarios persuades the readers, while at the same time attempts at demystifies an element of credibility to the readers. The two articles assist in addressing the issue of racial discrimination and injustices; thus, the readers can take corrective actions applicable in the contemporary world. The reader, at the same time, learns from the past and significantly the humiliations and misery that is seen in the narratives.