Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's speech, “I Have a Dream” and open letter,“Letter from Birmingham Jail” are both examples of an African American man’s non violent fight against civil inequality. King rebukes statements calling him “unwise and untimely”(374) in the letter, while in the speech, he describes the hope he has for his nation: for all to have equal opportunity to fulfill the American dream. Both text are known to be prime illustrations of historical literature, but much of the greatness can be credited to the amount of thought but into the pieces. As he speaks for the oppressed African American in the texts, King proves the injustice against his people has gone on far too long. Although the speech and letter are two separate pieces of works, both use similar rhetorical devices in order to create the strongest emotional

appeal possible.

Both pieces use assonance to expose the passion felt behind the text.

For example, the speech states: “whirlwinds of revolt”(27). The repeated r sound gives the text rhythm, allowing the audience to tune into what King is trying to display. What is he trying to display? Well, the use of the rhythmic pattern helps demonstrate his emotions by maintaining the audience attention in a stylistic way. In addition, “manacles of segregation and chains of discrimination”(26) is also used throughout the piece. Likewise to the previous quote, it calls attention upon the harsh outcomes of racial prejudice by the use of similar ending sounds. Both quotes speak upon the same subjects but the emotion is deepened by the repeated sounds. In correspondence to the speech, the Letter uses, “justice too long delayed is justice denied”(378) and “superiority and segregated a false sense of inferiority”(380). The similar sounds are again incorporated to further demonstrate the tyranny faced by African Americans. The rhetoric device not only adds movement, but it is clear that without the rhythmic style, certain things written, or spoken about would not be as

strong.

Both pieces use allusion to convey an honest tone. For instance, MLK states “Five score and seven years ago”(25) and “words of the constitution”(26). He quotes these two historical documents in order to allow the audience to truly absorb that although equality has already been established over hundreds of years ago, the struggle continues. When he acknowledges this, it adds a frank explanation that they are defending something that is already declared as their constitutional right. Likewise to the letter, “but, as Reinhold Niebuhr”(378) and “Like Paul”(375) are used to convey, again, historical support of equality. Niebuhr, a theologian who wrote upon moral and social problems and Paul, a great man of the Bible, are both discussed to recognize the pre-resolved issue of King’s time. MLk supports the idea of equality by mentioning early American theologist, early founding fathers, and early men of the bible. With this, the audience is left with the serious, straightforward tone.

Anaphora is used in both texts to highlight the emotional pain caused by segregation. In the speech,“One hundred years later”(26) and “We can never be satisfied”(27), are repeated in the beginning of clauses to motivate the African American race to not be content until the declaration, in which was made one hundred years prior, is fulfilled. Repeating “One hundred years later” emphasizes how long the oppression has been stretched, while “We can never be satisfied” is repeated to motivate the African American race to be steadfast in the fight for the equality. In comparison, The letter uses, “I am here because...I am here because”(375), twice, to express the background of why King is making the speech. Later, “When you...When you”(379), used an extreme 11 times, is a quote in which is directed to the white people who clearly do not understand burden of being African American. Mlk repeats these fragments in order to bring forth to the audience statements that are crucial in order for the audience to adequately grasp the feeling behind the text. Overall, both text successfully demonstrate how repetitive statements help audience's understanding of the text.

Both pieces use metaphor to strengthen the passionate feel of the essay. For example, the letter includes: “beautiful symphony of brotherhood”(28), to call forth his dream to see all people of America hand in hand. “bright day of justice emerges”(27), is also used demonstrate that justice for all will eventually come to pass, and when that day comes; the world will have a changed perspective of African Americans. In addition, The letter uses “ominous clouds of inferiority”(379) and “bondage of myths and half truths”(377). Both quotes express the ill-treatment of African Americans, although without actually saying it. The word choice is vital; as opposed to saying “ we are badly treat people” King compares subjects of unlike nature to describe the hardships of the African Americans and the future he sees for the nation.
Overall, King's pieces have both effectively proven the importance of rhetoric devices. All devices used have different meanings, but are implemented for the same reasons. King powerfully conveys his emotions, as he acknowledges the African American struggle, the hope he has for the world, and what the African American’s must do in order to subside the prejudice treatment they face. All of the work in both text are necessary in order to purify the nation of racial injustice.