King uses a polite tone by answering their statement in “patient and reasonable” terms. King, along with several members of his staff, is there because there is injustice. He alludes to the Apostle Paul by explaining that “just as he left his village of Tarsus” he is going outside his hometown. The allusion is used to justify the actions he has taken. If King is wrong in what he is doing, then the Biblical characters he refers to must be wrong in their actions as well. More over, the allusion of Paul places King in a category of important people that are well respected.

King then goes on to list the four basic steps they went through for their nonviolent campaign. This prov

King continues to allude to significant philosophers such as St. Thomas Aquinas, Martin Buber, and Paul Tillich, while explaining the difference between just and unjust laws. He agrees with St. Augustine “an unjust law is no law at all”. He again uses the opinions of respected figures to prove that the laws of segregation are unmerited and he is being quite reasonable in his actions.

In summation, Martin Luther King begins his letter with a polite tone by answering the clergymen’s assertions, and ends with a critical argument about their own unjust actions. Through rhetorical devices, he respectfully argues that his actions were both logical and reasonable. Similarly, he explains their long and awaited urge for direct action. He illustrates the patience of the black community and the rationality of their events.

es that King was very logical and rational in the steps he took towards direct action.

Towards the end of his letter, King switches his tone from polite to critical. He

Some topics in this essay:
St Augustine, Luther King, Asia Africa, Paul King, Apostle Paul, Birmingham Police, Paul Tillich, direct action, polite tone, Martin Luther, tone answering, king continues, polite tone answering, martin luther, rhetorical devices, actions logical, martin luther king, luther king,