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Michael Rossi
October 6, 2009
Advanced placement English language and composition
Martin Luther King speech analysis.
-Martin Luther King begins with an ethos appeal. Luther speaks of himself and how he cannot respond to every bit of criticism he encounters, “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas” (King, 738). Luther establishes his character by stating he is a fellow clergyman.
-Luther then moves to an appeal at logos. He states his reasons for being in Birmingham. Luther references injustice and comparers his contribution to that of Paul.
-King speaks of how the clergymen are concerned that he did not have a license. King states that they should be concerned about the fact that a license is required in the first place.
-King speaks of how racial injustice engulfs the community. King backs up these assertions with facts, laced with aggressive words that paint a picture in one’s mind. In order to emphasize King’s statements of injustice he utilizes extreme examples of injustices: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any other city in this nation” (King 739).
-King establishes the character of the demonstrators responsible during the time near his arrest. King was the only man arrested because he was black. King speaks of multiple forms of protest that should be used to throw open the gates to negotiation. The extreme lack of negotiation that
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occurred was greatly emphasized by King: “Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue” (King, 741).
-King does a phenomenal job pointing out the potential argument his critiques will put forth: “ one of the[…]individuals” (King, 741).
-“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (741).
- King makes a logical comparison asking America what it lacks to take the steps needed to end slavery: “The nations of Asia […] (742).
-King uses more aggressive language to dramatize why blacks cannot simply wait for right treatment: “I guess-our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.
-King attacks the legal system separating just laws from unjust laws.
-King references Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber, on page 743.
- King applies the just and unjust laws to his personal case of his arrest on page 744.
-King employs more historical evidence to support his logs appeal on page 744.
-King calls upon white moderates to change their ways and not wait: “I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail to do this they become dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress” (745).
-On page 746 King makes an ethos appeal to his audience. He describes his role as a medium between different kinds of blacks. Those who abdicate violence, those who have become accustomed to segregation, and those who profit from it.
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-“I’m grateful to God that, through the Negro church, the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle. If this philosophy had not emerged I am convinced that by now many streets of the South would be flowing with floods of blood” (746).
- King glorifies extremism: “was not Jesus an extremist in love?” (747).
- King speaks of how the white church regards the southern issues as mere social issues where the gospel has no relevance on page 749.