Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. conveyed the profound impact of segregation on the community, stating that “Its unjust treatment of Negroes in the courts is a notorious reality.” He personally experienced these effects when he was thrown into Birmingham jail, during which time he penned a letter to the Clergymen. This letter continues to resonate with people today. One technique Dr. King employed in his writing was personification, aiming to sway his readers’ perspective on increasing racial discrimination. In one instance, he expressed that “This movement is nourished by the contemporary frustration over the continued existence of racial discrimination.” By personifying the movement as something that can be nurtured, Dr. King evoked empathy from his readers and established both a factual tone and an urgent mood intended to influence their stance on this issue. Another example of figurative language used by Dr. King in the letter is found in his reference to “radiant stars of love and brotherhood.”
The passage discusses how Dr. King uses various stylistic elements to provoke and influence readers in his letter. One such element is personification, where he gives qualities of love and brotherhood to the stars, encouraging readers to envision a world filled with these ideals. This visualization urges readers to strive for unity and reject segregation. Another example of personification is seen when Dr. King states that academic freedom exists today because Socrates practiced civil disobedience. By ascribing the human attribute of “academic” to freedom, he creates a factual tone and thought-provoking mood, prompting readers to contemplate his words more deeply. Additionally, Dr. King employs metaphors, such as when he describes a time when the cup of endurance overflows and people refuse to be immersed in the abyss of injustice any longer. This metaphor signifies a future where racial discrimination ceases to exist, creating an impatient tone and an urgent mood, compelling readers to feel that this day is now.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. effectively influences his readers through the use of metaphors. One metaphor he employs compares the Church to a thermometer, emphasizing that it does not simply reflect society but has the power to transform it. By employing this stylistic element, King empowers his readers, emphasizing the church’s hidden strength. Moreover, he asserts that the church possesses the ability to actively shape society. Thus, King’s use of figurative language serves to both literally and emotionally impact his audience and shed light on the unjust treatment of Negroes. These stylistic elements significantly influence readers and hold great importance in writing. Following Dr. King’s example, incorporate figurative language into your own writing and make a positive impact.
