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Joshua Copeland
Professor Fealy
Eng. 1A
September 21 2011
The Time is Now
In one of the most famous letters ever published, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argues in
Letter from Birmingham Jail that the civil rights movement is a fight that can no longer wait for
justice. Written in 1963 during a time when segregation laws polarized the country, and
composed in jail after being arrested during a protest, King's letter is a response to local clergy
who criticized his actions. The letter not only clarifies King’s reasons for his actions, but also
serves as a call to action in the civil rights movement. Although King's letter was published in
the newspaper and addressed to "My Dear Fellow Clergyman," his work captured a much wider
audience; the entire nation heard his message loud and clear.
Still studied today for its powerful rhetorical style, Letter from Birmingham Jail uses
sophisticated diction, appeals to logic, emotion and ethics, and a benevolent tone to make one of
the most effective arguments ever written.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s use of logical, emotional, and ethical appeals reveals his
extensive knowledge of American history and adds to his credibility. He states that "academic
freedom is a reality today because Socrates practiced civil disobedience," and "in our nation, the
Boston Tea Party represented a massive act of civil disobedience" (King). Here, King proves that
he is not only well-read in ancient Greek philosophy, he also appeals to both ethos and logos by
relating his knowledge of American historical facts directly to his argument at hand, thus
establishing his credibility at the same time. In the same context, King appeals to ethos and logos
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again by demonstrating his Biblical knowledge in discussing how civil disobedience could be
seen in the "early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of
the chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire." In
addressing his audience, the local clergy in opposition of his actions, King makes a clear and
clever attempt to establish trustworthiness based on common ground, religious belief.
Furthermore, King knows the clergy will undoubtedly view any scripture as fact, thus causing
them to possibly reevaluate their own basis of reasoning.
King states in his argument that there are only two types of laws: just laws and unjust
laws. King uses logical reasoning here to help his audience understand the difference between
just and unjust laws. He defines a just law as a "man-made code that squares with the moral law
or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law." He goes
on to quote Thomas Aquinas, an influential philosopher, theologian, and priest of the Catholic
Church: "Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human
personality is unjust." King's appeal to logos here is quite strong in that his logical reasoning is
not only backed by Biblical support, it is also influenced by historical philosophy. This can also
be an appeal to pathos by using such Biblical support to generate sympathetic emotions within
the local clergy. While King's use of logical, ethical, and emotional appeals severely strengthens
his argument and solidifies his credibility, it is his elevated use of diction to which his thoughts
are firmly and cohesively expressed.
Throughout his essay, King's use of formal diction and sophisticated style almost takes
on a poetic role as it directly relates to his audience and further strengthens the very structure of
his argument. Evidence of this poetic diction is paramount when he states that "[w]e are caught
in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one
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directly, affects all indirectly." King's choice of words here, based on the patterns throughout the
context, is where we see this poetic role emerge. In the first sentence, he uses a profound
metaphor talking of "network of mutuality," and "in a single garment of destiny." It is through
this “garment” that King wants the clergy to not only identify, but to also feel a unification with.
Then, as his audience might pause to comprehend this thought, he immediately segues into his
explanation of the metaphor. This technique is extremely effective because it not only solidifies
his point, but he refrains from becoming didactic. Another example of King's diction taking on a
poetic role is when he says "freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be
demanded by the oppressed." King is able to effectively “demand” freedom without coming
across as arrogant; in fact, he sounds quite humble, though strikingly articulate.
King uses a sophisticated style to appeal to his audience. For example, he states, "I am
cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states." It is his selection of vocabulary
that not only shows that he is an educated man, but also that he has carefully chosen his words
with regard to his audience. King is acutely aware that his words will be closely scrutinized by
not only the clergy, but by the world. He must be clear, concise and astute. King is clearly all of
these and more. Another example of when King’s elaborate style strengthens the very structure
of his argument is when he agrees with his opposition saying “you are quite right in calling for
negotiation.” Furthermore, he goes on to explain that “non-violent direct action seeks to create
such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to
negotiate is forced to confront the issue.” Here, King takes the side of his opposition, even
calling them “right” but then goes on to explain what “calling for negotiation” should really be
addressing. This cohesive sentence structure packs a punch when attempting to get a point
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across. While King’s use of diction and style construct a balanced argument, it is his chivalrous
tone that carries all of his rhetorical strategies to success.
In the first paragraph of King’s essay, he says to his audience: “But since I feel you are
men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer
your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.” The fact that King’s
audience is his opposition makes this statement quite powerful. How easy would it be for King to
lash out at those who are oppressing him? Yet, he is setting an almost surreal tone by leveling
with his opposition. Even in the letter’s heading we get a glimpse of this tone when King
addresses his audience: “My Dear Fellow Clergyman.” In this way, King comes across as
gracious, compassionate, and even loving. It almost puts the clergymen to whom he addresses
the letter to shame, and brilliantly so. Even though King speaks to the clergy with the utmost
respect, his persuasion is not hindered. King manages to consistently maintain a sound argument
while eliciting an elevated tone so as to meet his opposition on common ground. He closes his
argument in saying “I hope this letter finds you in good faith,” and then even goes on to say he
wants to “meet each of you, not as an integrationist or a civil rights leader but as a fellow
clergyman and Christian brother.” It is clear that King’s intentions are only the best, and he
hopes to open the eyes of his opposition, thus eradicating the “evil system of segregation.”
In King’s essay Letter from Birmingham Jail, his use of rhetoric makes for one of the
most accomplished and effective argument essays ever written. Although the civil rights
movement is no longer a socially controversial topic in America, King’s words still resonate and
should still be studied for generations to come .With his prevalent appeal to pathos and logos, he
spilled forth emotions that captured his readers, and ultimately, changed a nation. With his
persuasive tone and sophisticated diction, to counter this argument might be absurd.
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Works Cited
King, Dr. Martin L. Letter from Birmingham Jail. N.p.: n.p., 1963. Print.