Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses periodic sentences, syntaxes, diction, and allusions to address his beliefs on the many struggles African Americans faced, his thoughts on just and unjust laws, influences that had an impact on African Americans, and the callous nature of the citizens, a prevalent part of society
Dawn McNeil-Bruce English 2100 Professor Andrews- Parker 10/21/15 The Rhetorical Techniques in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” The unjust treatment of African Americans have cause a significant amount of African American leaders to use different ways to advocate for racial equality.
Luther did a great job using pathos, which is what persuaded the whites to no longer hate Negros and hate racism instead. For example; his first sentences of the passage he says “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation”. That’s all ready something big “history of our nation” people are interested in knowing how it will impact the nation and when Luther threw all those things out there it
This speech was unfortunately Reverend King’s last speech due to his murder the day after his speech. I would like to believe that this speech honestly came from deprivation because of the edge and intensity he provided. It is very surprising that Dr. King made it into Memphis, Tennessee prior to the night he was murdered. Dr. Martin Luther King stated the fact that while he wanted to live a long time, he was not afraid to die, but this was not the first time he had mentioned the risk of him dying in his speeches. The "Mountaintop" alludes to where God took Moses so he could watch out over the Promised Land where his people would go to, yet where he himself couldn't enter.
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.
On April 16th, 1963, after being thrown in jail for protesting segregation in the height of the American Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights activist and pastor, in his letter entitled Letter from Birmingham City Jail, urges for social equality in America and justifies his use of nonviolent protest. He supports these claims by first stating his people will gain freedom because freedom is an American right as well as a God-given right, then explicates how the methods of law enforcement are unjust because any protection of segregation is immoral, and finally claims all of the people who have made sacrifices on the path to a segregation-free America will be the people to unify the country. Through King’s use of tone,
His speech can be divided into two parts, his call to action of the situation african Americans were living in. How some Americans are blinded to stitution “ refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt”. ( Luther) That there is no better time than now to improve this racial
In the speech “I’ve been to the Mountaintop,” written by Martin Luther King Junior, King connects economic justice with racial justice. King does this when he says, “Now we’re going to march again, and we’ve got to march again, in order to put the issue where it is supposed to be -- and force everybody to see that there are thirteen hundred of God’s children here suffering, sometimes going hungry, going through dark and dreary nights wondering how this thing is going to come out” (Page 3). King is connecting both economic justice with racial justice when he includes the fact that many black people are starting to starve. This is because, black people were given low-paying jobs because of the color of their skin. This discrimination shows a
The Civil rights movement was a long and hard fight for freedom in our nation. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the many people who devoted themselves and fought for the movement. He did it in hope to make the world a better place. Outraged and indignant, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham city jail” addresses the events that took place in the name of freedom. Martin Luther King Jr. reflects on the events, through his use of tone, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical tools.
“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, is the name of the final speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, at Mason Temple on April, 3, 1968. The speech motivates listeners to fight against social injustice even at the darkest of times, and to push forward until the light can shine through even the darkest of areas. MLK uses imagery, simile, and antithesis to get his points across to the audience without having it obvious and bland. As well as to get the audience to pay more attention and pull them into what is stated.
Therefore this makes people see racism in a whole new light; racism has not been justified because the United States have failed to uphold their promises. Kings goes on to say how racial equality can not be achieved until “...justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” (King). He deliberately tries to make the audience feel as if racial segregation is both wrong and against basic morals. Martin Luther King’s most famous speech, “I Have a Dream” was the changing point for racism in America. It managed to inspire a generation of blacks to never give up and made thousands of white Americans feel ashamed of their actions.
“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” (King). King calms the African Americans who are being oppressed by using the words, “this situation can and will be changed.” and “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” which gives them hope that there will be a new day when a change will take place.
The most important main idea was when MLK stated that all people of all color need to be free and to be equals. Two rhetorical devices he used to make his speech the most compelling was pathos and imagery. For example he said “... the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” (King). This showed that MLK didn’t want vengeance but freedom, which appealed to the emotions of his audience.
In the text, “Civil Rights Leaders: Martin Luther King Jr., it states, “King eloquently spelled out his theory of nonviolence: Nonviolent action seeks to create a crisis, so that a community is forced to confront the issue and deal with it.” This piece of text evidence reinforces that Martin Luther King was anguished by the violence that was happening and didn’t want the world to be an unsafe and cruel. As a result, MLK spent his time and efforts, trying to rehabilitate society and make a peaceful world for everyone. He wanted people to be kind and peaceful when it came to standing up for themselves. He wanted there to be nonviolent protests and therefore, was resolute in his belief to end a violent and unkind world.
Linguistic analysis of Martin Luther King 's 'I Have a Dream ' speech, and Abraham Lincoln 's 'Gettysburg Address ' I have chosen to investigate the use of linguistic devices and how they are used to persuade the audience. I will study a spoken form of language, as I think the spoken mode illustrates emotion better than a written mode. The speech I have chosen to study was spoken by Martin Luther King in 1963, and has been given the popular name of 'I Have a Dream '. I will also look at the Gettysburg address, spoken by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, as this links in closely with Martin Luther King 's ideals, and is referred to in his speech. Martin Luther Kings 'I Have A Dream ' speech is a very moving and interesting speech as it symbolises Freedom