Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail

What is Parallelism?

Parallelism is a rhetorical device that involves repeating a grammatical structure.

How Did Dr. King Define Just Laws?

Dr. King defined just laws as laws made by a majority that apply to everyone and that respect human dignity.

How Does King View Time?

King views time as a neutral force that must be used proactively to create change.

Why Was King Arrested?

King was arrested for violating a moratorium on demonstrations.

What Did King Think About Being Told to Wait for His Rights?

King believed that African Americans had already waited almost 400 years for their rights and that no rights had ever been gained without demanding them.

What Does Retaliate Mean?

Retaliate means to make an attack in return for a similar attack.

Was Dr. King's Commitment to Nonviolence Decreasing?

False. Dr. King remained committed to nonviolence throughout his life.

What Did the White Clergymen Think of Dr. King's Actions?

The white clergymen believed that King was an outsider and that the protests were untimely and unwise.

What Does Complacency Mean?

Complacency means a feeling of comfort in oneself, causing one not to be aware of their surroundings.

Which Technique Did Dr. King Use to Convince the Clergymen?

Dr. King related to them as fellow men of faith to establish credibility.

Did Dr. King Believe Violence Was Acceptable in Self-Defense?

False. Dr. King felt that violence was never acceptable, even in self-defense during protests.

How Did King Define Unjust Laws?

King defined unjust laws as laws that come from a nondemocratic process and go against moral law.

What Does Cognizant Mean?

Cognizant means having knowledge or awareness.

What is Pathos?

Pathos is appealing to emotion.

What is Ethos?

Ethos is establishing credibility or authority with your audience.

For Whom Was Dr. King's Letter Written?

The letter Dr. King wrote from his jail cell was addressed to eight white clergymen.

What Was King's Complaint About the "White Moderate"?

King believed that it was more harmful to be somewhat accepted but not fully supported than to be outright rejected.

What is Logos?

Logos is appealing to logic.

What Does Moratorium Mean?

Moratorium means a temporary prohibition.

What Does Provocation Mean?

Provocation means something that causes someone to act.

What Does Precipitate Mean?

Precipitate means to cause an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable, to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

What Does Manifest Mean?

Manifest means to show or display something, or something being obvious and apparent.

How Did King Justify His Presence in Birmingham?

King justified his presence in Birmingham based on his organizational ties, the fact that he was invited, and because he was a U.S. citizen and therefore affected by events in the U.S.

What Does Mores Mean?

Mores means the customs and traditions of a society.