Letter From Birmingham Jail Summary

How does one compare a writing from the civil rights movement to an article from Gourmet magazine? Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and David Foster Wallace’s “Consider the Lobster” address strikingly different moral topics. King is arguing the importance of the civil rights movement, while Wallace is discussing the ethics of eating lobster. Some may say that King’s letter is more effective because his personal investment in the cause persuades the audience, whereas others may claim that Wallace’s review is more effective because his disconnection from the topic forces the reader to think for themselves. However, King and Wallace have different motives in their essays, and each utilize unique writing styles that support their

He wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in response to an article written by those opposed to his campaign. He immediately establishes a connection with his readers, addressing them as “My Dear Fellow Clergymen” (74). This personal connection is effective in supporting his argument because he is calling these people to work together with him, and identifying himself as one of them helps unite them. He also connects himself directly to the civil rights movement by repeatedly using statements such as, “the actions that I and my associates have taken in Birmingham” (76), and “We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God given rights” (77). Identifying himself as a part of the people he is fighting for shows his connection to the cause. Furthermore, King emphasizes the importance of action. He praises a group of white men and women that have been a part of the movement, stating that “Unlike so many of their moderate brothers and sisters, they have recognized the urgency of the moment and sensed the need for powerful ‘action’ antidotes to combat the disease of segregation” (83). This is the second instance where he refers to segregation as a disease (he does so first on page 73). The negative connotation of the word “disease” allows this comparison to effectively appeal to the emotions of the readers. He also stated that “action” is the antidote to this disease, implying that it is the only solution to