Allusions In Letter From Birmingham Jail

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King’s letter directed to the people of the world had a huge impact on everyone. It made all kinds of people really see the world as it is and helped them understand the problems many people were facing. King uses imagery and allusions to evoke strong feelings of segregation in his audience in order to convince them emotionally. One device that King uses throughout his letter is imagery. He wants the audience to picture or see what he has encountered throughout his life. He uses strong words to explain to them all the struggles he has watched other people face. He says, “But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim.” This puts a brutal picture of abuse in the reader's mind. He goes…show more content…
In one paragraph, he states words that was used in the bible about loving enemies and about justice. He also adds in one paragraph about “a colony of heaven,” and that’s referring to the bible. With those references, he’s trying to connect with the Christians. Kings tone was more than effective. With his use of imagery and allusions, they conveyed a stern tone from him, and it helped everyone grasp the way they’ve been treated or how some have been treating others. King mentions towards the end of his letter, his disappointment with the white church and its leadership.” Then he goes on and says, “ I felt that the white ministers, priests, and rabbis of the South would be some of our strongest allies. Instead, some few have been outright opponents, refusing to understand the freedom movement and misrepresenting it’s leaders.” King is trying to express his disappointment for his fellow priests. He expects them to be better leaders and support belifs like his. The ovedrall outlook of the letter is based on Christians and how God would want things to be. King mentions Christians and Christian like actions multiple times in the letter. Non Christians wouldn’t favor this letter, but it
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