Dr King Rhetorical Analysis
MLK and Thoreau
When encountering injustice and treated less than a human being, it is not difficult for one to speak out against an issue and voice one's mind. Though two different authors writing on different issues both were compelling and perplexing. Dr. King is fed up with not being treated equal, where Thoreau is tired of flaws in American government. Dr. King's letter discusses many tragedies that the black generations have gone through and hopes that things can change. Thoreau's essay exposes flaws in American government and criticizes the American government for its democratic nature, the idea of majority ruling, and its inability to work properly for the people. Both inform the audience of a specific issue but when comparing the two, Dr. Kings letter proved to be more effective. Dr. King uses great parallelism, more potent appeals and uses cause and effect as a tool to clarify his ideas. Though Thoreau had some uses of details and logical appeals; overall King uses more to strengthen his essay. King's essay is …show more content…
also easier to understand. Details that King uses are more universal many people could relate to what he was saying. Though Dr. King used a variety of logical appeals, parallelism is used continuosly throughout his argument. The parallelism Dr. King uses has various effects on the reader. It makes what he is saying more direct and powerful. In addition it moves the reader along at a more brisk pace, in a more rhythmic way making what he is saying more interesting. By using parallel structure, Dr. King also makes everything that is within the parallelism of equal importance by starting each sentence with the same words or phrases. In writing his letter Dr. King uses many uses of appeals to argue with the treatment of African Americans. King uses logical appeal to explain the many attempts of resolving the issue at hand. "In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiations; self-purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham," (888) King shows his audience how many times they must try to set things right but never get any results. Additionally King's compelling uses of emotional appeals also contribute greatly to his letter. Dealing with an issue that he and his own people go through while never getting any results, and being trapped in a cell with all the time in the world, it is all the more easier for King to spill emotions into his letter.
Never before have I written so long a letter. I'm afraid it is much too long to take your precious time. I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from a comfortable desk, but what else can one do when he is alone in a narrow jail cell, other than write long letters, think long thoughts, and pray long prayers? (900)
With nothing better to do it allows King the time to finally get all of his emotions out on paper in an attempt to bring change. When incorporating emotional appeal on what negroes go through he uses parallelism to make it even more powerul.
But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate filled policemen curse, kick, and even kill your black brothers and sisters...when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park...There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair. (891)
King writes in such a way that as if everything he mentioned happened to him. A man cannot just make these things up and explain with such emotion if he himself has not gone through them or witnessed them. This makes the audience connect with King more and feel more heartfelt towards him and his argument. King also uses ethical appeal in his letter. One of his many include:
But is this a logical assertion? Isn't this like condemning a robbed man because his possession of money precipitated the evil act of robbery?...Isn't this like condemning Jesus because his unique God-consciousness and never ceasing devotion to God's will precipitated the evil act of crucifixion?...(894)
This strenghtens the paper further and grasp's his audience the "white moderate" more. Incorporating cause and effect within his argument also greatly impacted how effective his argument came to be. Dr. King leaves no questions unanswered as to why African Americans performed actions they have. For example when arguing about civil unrest King refers to the demonstrations as the effect and unjust laws as the cause. "It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative." (888) King explains how black people are always working hard to see change but are always met with negativity from the "white moderate" which gives them no choice but to act, and yet they still get sent to jail. "For years now I have heard the word 'Wait!' It rings in the ear of Negro with piercing familiarity. This 'Wait' has almost always meant 'never.' we must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that 'justice too long delayed is justice denied.'" (890) It is for this reason why Dr. king finds it necessary to act so that the "disease" of segragation is removed. "We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and Godgiven rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace towed gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter" (890) King suggests that while in other parts of the world many are gaining independence it is still so hard for Negroes to get a simple cup of coffee at a store. This is King's reason for acting. King was also hopeful for change he ended on a note that promoted togetherness. "I hope this letter finds you strong in faith. I also hope that circumstances will soon make it possible for me to meet each of you, not as an integrationist or civil-rights leader but as a fellow clergyman and a Christian brother." Ending in such a way gives King the image of a great individual who only longs for respect as he gives it, thus making his argument very effective. Like Dr.
King, Thoreau also uses appeals in his "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience." Thoreau uses emotional appeal's however they are not as evident as that of King's. Thoreau uses emotional appeal in his mention of Cesar and Christ. His logical and ethical appeals however are more so evident, and make the essay a very successful one in this aspect. "I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least" "that government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which we will have." (1) Throughout Thoreau's essay the same example is present and makes the audience think more critically which may in turn lose his reader. Thoreau's essay prolongs the real issues with unnecessary details that in turn confuses the audience on what exactly he is trying to say. Whereas Dr. King is straightforward with his details allowing the reader to read along
easily. In Thoreau's "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" he blames society for being controlled by government. He also accuses society of not standing up for what they believe in against the majority. Thoreau argues that society has an opportunity to change government but refuses to.
After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long period continue, to rule is not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically the strongest. But a government in which the majority rule in all cases can not be based on justice, even as far as men understand it.(2)
Thoreau's frustations really go against the people on their failure to try to change government. "The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines..." The people have the power to carry out the just actions and to overturn the unjust laws as imposed by the government, but rather they carry out the policies of the government without really knowing why they are doing it. In comparison to King's argument Thoreau's is less compelling because the ideas that Thoreau presented are much easier said than carried out. Whereas King has many who really have ear for what he is saying. In King's case there are thousands, maybe more, that are African Americans and wish to gain rights which make his argument more compelling. Thoreau, however, is going against the majority who will probably not listen to his argument and even the few that may find his essay compelling change would be close to impossible to do because they are going against the majority. Living in a society where majority rules Thoreau's argument probably wouldn't be considered if the majority didn't find it fit to look at. In King's case the majority just may be the African Americans may be the majority so his argument is therefore more compelling. Thoreau's essay was also less effective than King's because he didn't have hope in his own argument. This makes his argument kind of redundant because he is just giving up, while King has hope for the future. "A state which bore this kind of fruit, and suffered it to drop off as fast as it ripened, would prepare the way for a still more perfect and glorious State, which I have also imagined, but not yet anywhere seen"(16). His lack in confidence in his own argument makes it less compelling. How could one expect others to believe in an argument if oneself doesn't trust in it. King however has hope which may spark hope in his readers. Henry David did however display an excellent strategic use of cause and effect which helped to enhance the impression and the effect that the essay has on his audience. However, Martin Luther King Jr., is more successful in communicating the effect to his audience because he isn't argumentative and quick to judge like Thoreau is. Overall, Dr. Kings letter was more effective. King successfully incorporated more than enough details and examples so the reader wouldn't get lost. Kings letter allowed the reader to move along with a brisk pace. Thoreau on the other hand, gave a good argument but at times it wasn't clear and the reader had to read sections over and over again to get everything out of it. Thoreau also did not have as many compelling examples and details as King did. Instead he used the same examples over and over again. Thoreau veers more toward logical appeals and King uses a variety of appeals to make his essay as effective as it is.
When encountering injustice and treated less than a human being, it is not difficult for one to speak out against an issue and voice one's mind. Though two different authors writing on different issues both were compelling and perplexing. Dr. King is fed up with not being treated equal, where Thoreau is tired of flaws in American government. Dr. King's letter discusses many tragedies that the black generations have gone through and hopes that things can change. Thoreau's essay exposes flaws in American government and criticizes the American government for its democratic nature, the idea of majority ruling, and its inability to work properly for the people. Both inform the audience of a specific issue but when comparing the two, Dr. Kings letter proved to be more effective. Dr. King uses great parallelism, more potent appeals and uses cause and effect as a tool to clarify his ideas. Though Thoreau had some uses of details and logical appeals; overall King uses more to strengthen his essay. King's essay is …show more content…
also easier to understand. Details that King uses are more universal many people could relate to what he was saying. Though Dr. King used a variety of logical appeals, parallelism is used continuosly throughout his argument. The parallelism Dr. King uses has various effects on the reader. It makes what he is saying more direct and powerful. In addition it moves the reader along at a more brisk pace, in a more rhythmic way making what he is saying more interesting. By using parallel structure, Dr. King also makes everything that is within the parallelism of equal importance by starting each sentence with the same words or phrases. In writing his letter Dr. King uses many uses of appeals to argue with the treatment of African Americans. King uses logical appeal to explain the many attempts of resolving the issue at hand. "In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiations; self-purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham," (888) King shows his audience how many times they must try to set things right but never get any results. Additionally King's compelling uses of emotional appeals also contribute greatly to his letter. Dealing with an issue that he and his own people go through while never getting any results, and being trapped in a cell with all the time in the world, it is all the more easier for King to spill emotions into his letter.
Never before have I written so long a letter. I'm afraid it is much too long to take your precious time. I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from a comfortable desk, but what else can one do when he is alone in a narrow jail cell, other than write long letters, think long thoughts, and pray long prayers? (900)
With nothing better to do it allows King the time to finally get all of his emotions out on paper in an attempt to bring change. When incorporating emotional appeal on what negroes go through he uses parallelism to make it even more powerul.
But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate filled policemen curse, kick, and even kill your black brothers and sisters...when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park...There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair. (891)
King writes in such a way that as if everything he mentioned happened to him. A man cannot just make these things up and explain with such emotion if he himself has not gone through them or witnessed them. This makes the audience connect with King more and feel more heartfelt towards him and his argument. King also uses ethical appeal in his letter. One of his many include:
But is this a logical assertion? Isn't this like condemning a robbed man because his possession of money precipitated the evil act of robbery?...Isn't this like condemning Jesus because his unique God-consciousness and never ceasing devotion to God's will precipitated the evil act of crucifixion?...(894)
This strenghtens the paper further and grasp's his audience the "white moderate" more. Incorporating cause and effect within his argument also greatly impacted how effective his argument came to be. Dr. King leaves no questions unanswered as to why African Americans performed actions they have. For example when arguing about civil unrest King refers to the demonstrations as the effect and unjust laws as the cause. "It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative." (888) King explains how black people are always working hard to see change but are always met with negativity from the "white moderate" which gives them no choice but to act, and yet they still get sent to jail. "For years now I have heard the word 'Wait!' It rings in the ear of Negro with piercing familiarity. This 'Wait' has almost always meant 'never.' we must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that 'justice too long delayed is justice denied.'" (890) It is for this reason why Dr. king finds it necessary to act so that the "disease" of segragation is removed. "We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and Godgiven rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace towed gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter" (890) King suggests that while in other parts of the world many are gaining independence it is still so hard for Negroes to get a simple cup of coffee at a store. This is King's reason for acting. King was also hopeful for change he ended on a note that promoted togetherness. "I hope this letter finds you strong in faith. I also hope that circumstances will soon make it possible for me to meet each of you, not as an integrationist or civil-rights leader but as a fellow clergyman and a Christian brother." Ending in such a way gives King the image of a great individual who only longs for respect as he gives it, thus making his argument very effective. Like Dr.
King, Thoreau also uses appeals in his "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience." Thoreau uses emotional appeal's however they are not as evident as that of King's. Thoreau uses emotional appeal in his mention of Cesar and Christ. His logical and ethical appeals however are more so evident, and make the essay a very successful one in this aspect. "I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least" "that government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which we will have." (1) Throughout Thoreau's essay the same example is present and makes the audience think more critically which may in turn lose his reader. Thoreau's essay prolongs the real issues with unnecessary details that in turn confuses the audience on what exactly he is trying to say. Whereas Dr. King is straightforward with his details allowing the reader to read along
easily. In Thoreau's "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" he blames society for being controlled by government. He also accuses society of not standing up for what they believe in against the majority. Thoreau argues that society has an opportunity to change government but refuses to.
After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long period continue, to rule is not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically the strongest. But a government in which the majority rule in all cases can not be based on justice, even as far as men understand it.(2)
Thoreau's frustations really go against the people on their failure to try to change government. "The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines..." The people have the power to carry out the just actions and to overturn the unjust laws as imposed by the government, but rather they carry out the policies of the government without really knowing why they are doing it. In comparison to King's argument Thoreau's is less compelling because the ideas that Thoreau presented are much easier said than carried out. Whereas King has many who really have ear for what he is saying. In King's case there are thousands, maybe more, that are African Americans and wish to gain rights which make his argument more compelling. Thoreau, however, is going against the majority who will probably not listen to his argument and even the few that may find his essay compelling change would be close to impossible to do because they are going against the majority. Living in a society where majority rules Thoreau's argument probably wouldn't be considered if the majority didn't find it fit to look at. In King's case the majority just may be the African Americans may be the majority so his argument is therefore more compelling. Thoreau's essay was also less effective than King's because he didn't have hope in his own argument. This makes his argument kind of redundant because he is just giving up, while King has hope for the future. "A state which bore this kind of fruit, and suffered it to drop off as fast as it ripened, would prepare the way for a still more perfect and glorious State, which I have also imagined, but not yet anywhere seen"(16). His lack in confidence in his own argument makes it less compelling. How could one expect others to believe in an argument if oneself doesn't trust in it. King however has hope which may spark hope in his readers. Henry David did however display an excellent strategic use of cause and effect which helped to enhance the impression and the effect that the essay has on his audience. However, Martin Luther King Jr., is more successful in communicating the effect to his audience because he isn't argumentative and quick to judge like Thoreau is. Overall, Dr. Kings letter was more effective. King successfully incorporated more than enough details and examples so the reader wouldn't get lost. Kings letter allowed the reader to move along with a brisk pace. Thoreau on the other hand, gave a good argument but at times it wasn't clear and the reader had to read sections over and over again to get everything out of it. Thoreau also did not have as many compelling examples and details as King did. Instead he used the same examples over and over again. Thoreau veers more toward logical appeals and King uses a variety of appeals to make his essay as effective as it is.