Sample Essay On Letter From A Birmingham Jail

Aristotle one of the greatest Hellenistic philosophers of Antiquity originated with the various means of classifying persuasion. The methods are categorized into; ethos that is ethical appeal that functions by persuading through the character of the persuader, pathos that persuades through an appeal to the readers’ emotions. Finally, logos persuade by reasoning and logic. Martin Luther King, Baptist Minister, in a letter from a Birmingham jail demonstrated keen and sublime mastery of these means of persuasion.
Martin Luther King’s letter from a Birmingham prison was a response to the writer who had referred to his actioned of the non-violent protests as “unwise and untimely.” His primary goal in the “Letter from a Birmingham jail” was to inform, illustrate and persuade that the time for the blacks to champion for their rights was at the present. His audience was the writer and anyone else who might have held a similar belief of the “unwise and untimely” nature of the protests. He emphasizes that they cannot wait anymore. This article shall examine the passage from page 100 paragraph two and analyze haw Martin Luther uses the means of persuasion to get his primary claim across.
The statements made had asserted that even though their actions were peaceful they ought to have been condemned as they lead to violence against the Blacks. Martin Luther King applies logos in this passage, even asking how such assertions could be logically made. He uses the analogy of people condemning a robbery victim for having money. Martin Luther’s use of logic and reasoning is further demonstrated by this analogy and his call to the society to protect the victim rather than the robber.
Martin Luther also draws upon the imagery of Socrates being forced to consume hemlock to appeal to people’s emotions. He uses Socrates unswerving dedication to truth as the cause of the “misguided popular opinion” condemning him. He also uses Jesus the iconic figure of all Christians and argues that condemning the blacks is akin to condemning Jesus for his unique God-consciousness. He compared the churches and all the people who supported segregation and oppression of blacks to the people in Athens who killed Socrates. In doing this, he attempts to use their emotions that they are better than such people and as such should accept progressive movements.
Martin Luther character and reputation always preceded him his commitment to non-violent ideals had set him apart from the militant black organizations of his era. As such, his use of ethos was almost effortless. Furthermore, in the passage he uses the federal courts affirmation that it was immoral to urge individuals to quit and halt in their effort to gain their basic and constitutional rights.
In summary, Martin Luther King was one of the men who have ever fought for the Black cause. His persuasive skills are impressive giving due regard that he wrote the letter while in a prison whose conditions were harsh and brutal. The fruits of his efforts can be seen all over United States presently.