This letter is unquestionable a work of art. It is not a simple letter, because it reveals a lot and shows a range of emotions, but is very easy to read. In the opening paragraph King explains how he came across a letter that eight clergy members published in a local newspaper and proceeds to respond to their comments. King moves on in paragraphs 2 and 3 were he sets up his credibility and explains his reasons for being in Birmingham. The letter changes in paragraph four where we begin to see King's use of metaphors: "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality; tied in a single garment of destiny." King continues to explain his presence in Birmingham and begins to change the tone from introductory to confrontational. In paragraph 10 he raises questions that were not directly asked and proceeds to explain his actions. It is here King presents

He defends his actions against the clergymen's criticisms, particularly their argument that he is in too much of a hurry. Responding to charges of extremism, King claims that he has actually prevented racial violence by channeling the natural frustrations of oppressed African Americans into nonviolent protest. He asserts that extremism is precisely what is needed now; but it must be creative, rather than destructive, extremism. He concludes by again expressing disappointment with white moderates for not joining his efforts as many other whites have.

In assessing King's appropriateness I refer to paragraph 24 where King argues that if law and order fail to establish justice, "they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress." The analogy asserts the following logical relationship: law and order are to progress toward justice what a dam is to water. King uses both analogy and authority in the following passage from paragraph 25: "Isn't this like condemning Socrates because his unswerving commitment to truth and his philosophical inquires precipitated the act by the misguided populace in which they made him drink hemlock?" Since Socrates is generally respected for his teachings on justice, his words and actions are likely to be considered appropriate to King's situation in Birmingham.

his argument in a definable logic. It is his purpose is to inform the clergy of a new body of knowledge. He includes the completeness and clarity of the knowledge presented by answering questions that had not been raised. The purpose is to persuade the clergy to accept a new opinion on a matter of significance: "I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth."

We know that the civil rights movement is significant in King's letter because he tells us so, but beyond that we recognize that the event reveals something important about the images that plagued American society. King allowed us to gain insight into whom he was and what African Americans had to endure to ensure their freedom. Yet he emotionally and rationally provided mindful and well-presented perspect

Some common words found in the essay are:
Birmingham Jail, Asia Africa, African Americans, Hitler Germany, Lincoln Jefferson, Declaration Independence, Alabama Mississippi, Paul Luther, Rosa Parks, African American, disappointment white, civil rights, civil rights movement, rights movement, expresses disappointment white, sentence found, truth indicates, king continues, martin luther, unjust laws, continues explain, disappointment white moderates, expresses disappointment,
Approximate Word count = 1477
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)