Elizabeth Griffith

Professor Newport

English 102

February 9, 2017

Rhetorical Analysis on Letter from Birmingham Jail

Part 1

Dr. Martin Luther King Juniors, Letter from Birmingham Jail is a response in the form

of a letter to eight clergymen who told Dr. King that his presence in Alabama would be a

nuisance, halting his campaign for equality. A rhetorical analysis is when one finds the hidden

agenda in a piece of literature. The reader tries to find out what the author is selling. Dr. Kings

most persuasive rhetorical appeal is his use of logos. He uses logic to persuade the reader and he

does it very well throughout his letter.

An example of Dr. Kings use of logos is when he explains how the church opposes his

demonstration tactics, but they do not acknowledge the same concern for the reasons as to why

there are protests in the first place. The clergy failed to realize that there are protests for a reason.

A reason that the clergy is ignoring. Dr. King uses logos somewhat heavily throughout his letter.

Another powerful example is when he is explaining his definition of unjust and just laws. The

most powerful example he uses to explain unjust laws is when he explains that laws directed

towards minorities are unjust because most minorities are prohibited from voting due to strict

voting regulations, therefore; how can a law be just if the people it is restricting werent able to

vote. He also uses logos to dismantle the clergys belief that the marches and sit-ins cause

violence. Dr. King explains how that is like, condemning a robbed man because his

possessions of money precipitated the evil act of robbery? Dr. King explains that his actions to
achieve equality do not lead to violence because they are peaceful. It is against Dr. Kings beliefs

to participate in any sort of violence which falsifies the clergys statement on the matter due to

simple logic. Dr. King also explains how he is disappointed in the church because they do not

want to do anything outside of what theyve always done or believed. The church wont help Dr.

King because they are afraid of what people might think. The church is more worried about its

reputation than the equality of man which Dr. King points out with the use of simple logic again

because if they werent worried about the eruption of the church, then Dr. King would have

received help from it.

A powerful example of Dr. Kings use of pathos is when he explains how the black

community was promised that the discriminating signs in Birmingham would be taken down, but

only a few were removed and then later put back up. Hes appealing to our sense of humility and

dignity. One of the most powerful use of pathos is when he explains how the black community is

tired of being told to wait for equality. He goes on to explain how white people do not

understand this because they have never seen their friends and family lynched or killed. They

have never had to explain to their children that they cannot go to a certain place because that

place doesnt allow people of their color. They have never had to sleep in their car because no

hotels will let them rent a room. Most importantly, white people have never felt like they are

nobody because of the color of their skin. They have never felt like they dont belong due to the

color of their skin. Dr. King appeals to the readers emotions and makes the reader feel empathy

for the black community. This will make the reader want to help Dr. Kings cause which is what

Dr. King ultimately wants.

Dr. King proves he is someone worth listening to when he compares the clergy calling

him an extremist to other extremists. He explains how Jesus was an extremist for love,
Abraham Lincoln an extremist for the abolition of slavery, and Thomas Jefferson was an

extremist who believed that, all men are created equal. Hes worth listening to in this particular

paragraph because he is right. He also explains how black people were here in the United Sates

before pilgrims and before the Declaration of Independence was signed. They were here before

working without pay and being beaten and humiliated was part of their daily routine. He explains

how they will win their freedom because its in everyones soul to do so. He proves that he is

worth listening to because he makes another valid point that cannot be argued with. He not only

makes valid points in this particular paragraph, but throughout his entire letter.

Dr. King used Kairos in his letter to persuade the reader once again. He makes a powerful

claim that Birmingham in the most segregated city in the U.S. This is why he is writing this letter

because it is the perfect time to march, but the clergy does not want him to. Another example of

Kairos is when he explains that black people have waited more than 340 years to have equal

rights, but they still do not have the same rights as white people. This is also why it is the perfect

time to write this letter because he wants to take on the most segregated city in America when

everyone is motivated and tired of being told no. The last example of Kairos is when Dr. King

explains how he has never written a letter this long. His letter is so long because he has nothing

better to do while he sits in jail. Sitting in jail was the perfect time to write this letter because he

has time to think long thoughts, and pray long prayers. This whole letter is an example of

Kairos because he is writing a letter about segregation and swaying from the norm to a church

that is afraid of doing something outside of the norm in the most divided city in America.

In conclusion, Dr. Kings use of logos to persuade the reader is his most powerful

rhetorical appeal. He uses simple logic and facts to support his claims which is why it is so

powerful. No one can argue with his claims because they are facts. Most of his letter uses logos
which is another reason why it is so powerful again because he piles on fact after fact to

overwhelm the clergy so there is no room for them to argue with his claims. There is no arguing

with logic or Dr. King in this letter.

Part 2

Original Paragraph:

In your statement you assert that our actions, even though peaceful, must be condemned because

they precipitate violence. But is this a logical assertion? Isn't this like condemning a robbed man

because his possession of money precipitated the evil act of robbery? Isn't this like condemning

Socrates because his unswerving commitment to truth and his philosophical inquiries

precipitated the act by the misguided populace in which they made him drink hemlock? Isn't this

like condemning Jesus because his unique God-consciousness and never-ceasing devotion to

God's will precipitated the evil act of crucifixion? We must come to see that, as the federal courts

have consistently affirmed, it is wrong to urge an individual to cease his efforts to gain his basic

constitutional rights because the quest may precipitate violence. Society must protect the robbed

and punish the robber.

Paraphrased Paragraph:

Dr. King addresses the clergys and explains how the clergy thinks that Dr.Kings

mraches and sit-ins must be stopped becase they are likely to casue some sort of distrubance. Dr.

King then asks the clergy if this is a reasobable demand. Dr.King goes on to explain how telling

him to stop his actions is like punishing a rich man for having money becase it will lead to his

house being robbed. He asks again that isnt telling him to stop like punishing Socrates because

his devotion to truth and philospopical discoveries led to him drinking hemlock. He asks again
that isnt telling him to stop like punishing Jesus for being able to talk to God and his devotion to

Him because this caused the horrible deed of martydom. Dr. King addresses the clergy again and

tells them that they need to open their eyes to the idea that, as the judicial system has confirmed

time and time again, it is not right to tell someone to stop his/her work to achieve an essential

God given right because it will cause bloodshed. Dr. King explains how everyone needs to

safeguard the victum and condemn the theif.