Metaphors In Letter From Birmingham Jail

Letters from Birmingham Jail is a letter recorded on June 12, 1962 by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his term spent in Birmingham Jail. In the letter he addresses the clergymen which previously sent King a letter regarding his actions in Birmingham. King flaunts the use of allusions and biblical references throughout his letter to obtain the attention of the clergymen. In the third paragraph King is explaining his actions in Birmingham, and says “just as prophets”.(King Letters from Birmingham) King explains that just as prophets left their homes to carry the gospel of Jesus, he left his home and carries the “gospel of freedom”. (King Letters from Birmingham) When King compares himself to a prophet from the bible, he is making himself …show more content…
Edwards uses this as a technique to place fear into the reader's mind. Edwards suggests that there is nothing between the reader and hell. Therefore giving the reader an image of themselves hanging over the pit of hell.
Edwards also flaunts the use of metaphors in his sermon. Edwards uses metaphors to create a vivid connection for the reader with something familiar and something new. All throughout Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards uses metaphors such as “your wickedness make you as heavy as lead.” (Edwards Sinner in God’s hands) Edwards is trying to connect something familiar to something new so his audience will understand the emphasis he has on people’s wickedness. This is effective because his audience would be able to have an image in their head while listening to his sermon and understand why his emphasis.
MLK strives to gain attention and obtain his audience through guilt; however that is not the only technique he used. Both Edwards and King’s pieces had metaphors and biblical allusions; this is what makes them similar. They both flaunt the use of metaphors to help the reader make connections between something that is familiar and something that is new. Effective can be seen as the act of an author successfully conveying their

Show More