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Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Martin Luther King used many different rhetorical devices to get the reader's attention and recognize what is right and what is wrong. The letter from Birmingham Jail was to the clergymen by Martin Luther King Jr. The purpose of this letter was to justify his choice in his nonviolent actions. The letter was to address the criticism of his campaign. He points out that civil disobedience is the effect of injustice laws. King believed that economic injustice and discrimination were cultivated in the American economy. The speech was to call an end to the inequalities of the economy. Martin Luther was a great speaker because he used the rhetorical power of words to provoke, calm, and inspire. King used words that have the power to provoke people. …show more content…

The rhetorical device used that proves that words have the power to inspire is hyperbole. The “I have a dream” speech presents, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain…”. This speaks to inspiration because it shows that he has trust and hope that all current racial, discrimination, segregation, inequality, and problems will soon be solved. He uses imagery to give the reader a visual of all problems like inequality, injustice, and segregation and the problems that were being faced at that time would soon go from being a problem to being solved by connecting that to valleys, mountains, and hills. The rhetorical device used that proves that words have the power to inspire is hyperbole. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, it describes, “ With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.” This reflects inspiration because it shows the reader how strong African-Americans' faith was which can uplift the audience. He uses this hyperbole to get the point though that their faith is so strong that they can change all of the disagreements and points of view into peace and …show more content…

The rhetorical device used that proves this is personification. The “I have a dream” speech, expresses, “ Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” This expounds calmness because it shows that he is trying to get freedom and equality for all peacefully, not being bitter or having hatred in their heart, and wants others to do the same trying to achieve freedom. He uses this personification to explain that the people who are fighting for and want freedom shouldn’t be bitter or have hatred in trying to achieve freedom. The rhetorical device used that proves that words have the power to calm is a metaphor. The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” voices that, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” This shows calm because he was thankful that people are starting to realize that the injustice laws that occur are not right and are turning over. He uses this metaphor to show his actions of protesting instead of battling in court were right. King is basically justifying his actions to the

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