Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

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Kaydence Hale Mr. Forrester English III 30 April 2024 The resounding rhetoric of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an amazing speaker who used his words to draw emotion and inspire a fight for equality and justice. Some of his more notable work is his "I Have a Dream" which is a legendary speech that envisioned an end to racism, and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” a letter where MLK explains why fighting for civil rights cannot wait and defending nonviolent protests. Through his astounding speeches and powerful writing, King effectively utilizes rhetorical writings to leave a lasting impact on civil rights and freedom. His use of pathos is much more prevalent in his “I Have a Dream” speech, while his use of logos is …show more content…
In comparison to “The Letter from Birmingham Jail” the pathos used in this text is on a more personal level. ”I Have a Dream” was a public speech during a massive rally for civil rights, while the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was a personal response to critics. Both of them share MLK's vision of the civil rights movement but differ in audience and setting. In the “I Have a Dream” speech he uses pathos to paint a picture of the segregated society and the dream of an improved future like when he says ”I Have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a notation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” the pathos used is more personal. He expresses disappointment in the white moderates and church because he expects them to be allies. The speech is more about a shared dream, and the letter is more like a direct conversation. An example of his use of pathos is when he says “WHen you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim.. Then you will understand why we find it difficult to
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