Nate Griffith

Studio 6

Word Count- 819

1. The rhetorical situation that Dr. King addresses in his letter has to do with his

arrest, the nature of which being that he was peacefully protesting racial

violence. While in jail, he receives a criticism calling his actions “unwise and

untimely”. King replies to this situation without having it affect his initial position

on the matter. He wants the audience to understand that he does not feel, nor

should he, any sort of regret towards what he had done. His original intended

audience was to the white men who were responsible for his arrest and how he

believes that such a punishment was unnecessary and a waste of time for those

involved. It is clear, however, by the discontented tone and the presentation of

issues reflected across much of the African American community, that the piece

serves additionally as a point of connection with the civil rights activist

community. He wants to communicate that the fight for civil freedom is one not

worth giving up on. Dr. King communicates this with the encouraging nature of

his essay reassuring that it is not worth becoming silent about issues that affect

so many.

2. Common ground in literature is a mutual agreement or understanding reached by

two parties on opposite sides of discourse. In reaching common ground, King

hopes to have the readers come to a mutual understanding about the state of

affairs regarding racial inequality in the country. He references the treatment of

 Jews in Europe by Nazi Germany and how this same principle is applied to

African Americans at the time. He makes it clear with his letter that although the

segregation being experienced in America is by law, it does not make the matter

any less of a moral injustice.

3. Hitler was included to support King’s argument. He knows that the side that

opposes him is very against Hitler. King compares the treatment of Jews by Nazi

Germany to the treatment of black people in America. This is a use of pathos for

the fact that white America hates Hitler and would not want to be associated with

him or his beliefs. King also references famous Greek philosopher Socrates who

is known as a pioneer for moral philosophy and a great contributor to the western

idea of ethics. By mentioning Socrates, King uses ethos to communicate a sense

of credibility within his argument. If the father of western philosophy argued for

one opinion, then that opinion should be shared by the majority of the American

people. Finally, St. Augustine is mentioned by Dr. King where he discusses St.

Augustine’s views on unjust laws. He discusses the point brought up about how

just laws will maintain morality in society and unjust laws will do the exact

opposite. This reinforces the previous argument with Socrates and morality. This

combines uses ethos and logos to connect with the audience. Two important

historical figures are in agreement with King, making his argument more valid to

the reader.

4. One of the main purposes of this letter was to connect with the moderate side of

the argument; the individuals who are silent on the topic or lean neither one way
 or another. This is done by providing multiple examples from credible historical

figures and presenting them in a logical format such that there are no rational

fallacies found in his argument. Dr. King meticulously constructed a piece that is

near impossible to disassemble by even the most insightful of his adversaries.

5.

○ “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”

○ " Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than

absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.”

○ “Abused and scorned though we may be, our destiny is tied up with the

destiny of America.”

These quotes are particularly enjoyable to me for how much they ring true for many

historical injustices across the world. He mentions points that only few would have the

same level of consideration for the matter to recognize. He calls for action from those

who don’t believe they can influence the situation and reminds his adversaries that to

drag down others is to do a disservice to the entirety of America.

7. Dr. King’s essay from Birmingham jail serves as a prime example of how to respond

to rhetorical discourse. He writes very methodically as to leave no point of the argument

unaccounted for. He makes sure to address in depth each point brought up in his

criticism and to analyze them for everything they’re worth before systematical

dismantling the argument while remaining composed and professional. Issues today

can be put under the same classification as the issue addressed by Dr. King. A world

where injustice lives seem to be historically ever-present. In knowing this, we have to

understand that each person holds a pivotal role in changing things for the better and

that a group can only succeed when each of its members succeeds.