Rhetorical Analysis

Jessica Mayes
ENG201.005
Dr. Micer
February 13, 2009
Rhetorical Analysis
In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” he uses many persuasive techniques to convey his point across. This letter was written while Dr. King was confined in Birmingham Jail, and is directed at his fellow clergyman to explain and justify his actions to them. In this letter, Dr. King portrays himself as an educated and well organized person seeking change. This is demonstrated when he states that he is the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He explains to them the main reason why he was in Birmingham, stating, “I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here.” Dr. King was looking to change the nations view and treatment of African Americans, as shown when he says, “…I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.”
Throughout the letter, Dr. King makes numerous allusions to the Bible. At one point, he likens himself to the Apostle Paul, who carried the word of the Bible beyond his home town just as Martin Luther King Jr. did. He goes on to define what direct action, which is what his whole campaign was centered around, is and why it is important. He states, “Nonviolent direct action seeks to create a crisis…” which implies that though he uses nonviolent methods to attain his goals, he still seeks to cause trouble with his actions. This is an example of logos because it tells is a definition, and earlier tells us a story which is widely accepted as truth. However, he does rely somewhat heavily on logical fallacies in his text. He states that if his philosophy had not come about, the streets of the south would “be flowing with blood.” By using fear, he further sways people to accept his methods and actions.
Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrates his credibility quite fully in his letter. He describes in detail, each step of his campaign. In many instances, he describes situations in which he directly has spoken with others concerning his campaign, and the results that occurred. He also displays a strong willingness to negotiate, further portraying himself as a very reasonable and fair man. This is an example of ethos because it is widely agreed upon that being able to sacrifice and negotiate are signs of a person with reason and understanding.
Dr. King’s letter is very emotionally charged. He describes in such detail the “pent-up resentments and latent frustrations” of the African American people. He also uses language here to put fear in the people regarding what would happen if the African American race were to rebel or revolt. He also makes his audience pity him, referring numerous times to the “shattered dreams” of him and his people. By expressing his disappointment in the white race and, specifically, the white church, he tries to make them feel guilty for their actions. By so vividly describing the struggle of his race in America and by causing is to feel sympathy for them and guilt for our actions, he uses pathos, in my opinion, more effectively than any other tool.
Dr. King’s work, though it contains some fallacies, was meant to explain his purpose. He uses logic, fear, pity, guilt, fact, and his own credentials to create a writing that is so persuasive and well written that it is studied even today for his effective use of strategies in persuasive writing. It is a great piece of rhetoric, and demonstrates all of the components of rhetorical quite thoroughly.