English Literature

The ability of every reader to understand the clamor for liberty and freedom amidst the challenges in society is what makes the value of reading Dr. Martin Luther Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail worth appreciating and valuing. With such appeal, the development of Mia Klein, an Associate Professor of English at Bergen Community College, New Jersey, sought to investigate and recreate new perspectives in understanding Dr. Kings famous letter. By using numerous instruments associated with the use of persuasive language and application of prose standards, Klein argued that Dr. King was able to develop arguments and themes that captivate readers attention anew.

The main argument of Klein in her work focuses on rediscovering value of redefining new parameters of helping readers get a new definition and meaning to the term liberty, freedom, and self-sacrifice. All these are in response towards the abolishment of something that continues to construe individual capacity to become better. It is through the ability of Dr. Kings spontaneous and valuable insight that the author considers him as one of the most celebrated contemporary writer of his time.

In particular, she takes into consideration the application of Dr. King of numerous literary techniques and devices that helped shape appreciation and value to his work. From the usage of similes and metaphors, Dr. King was able to illustrate his viewpoints and argue towards an appropriate way to understand the situations surrounding the realities he seeks to convey. This has been supplemented by Klein by arguing that, His similes and metaphors become the (serious) playthings of imagination, and the play of the imagination the effect of emotions towards the intellectual content of figures of speech (35).

Similar to this analysis, Klein also asserts the validity of using simple and yet captivating words to illustrate his point. In particular, Dr. King highlights specific scenarios happening with the use of common words. The main idea behind this revolves approach according to Klein involves portraying reality as Dr. King sees it in simple sense. This can then justify greater capacity to induce meaning in the best way possible. In this process Klein supports the analogy made by Dr. King and pointed out how the fluidity of the language used justified his ideas accordingly.

The interplay of history and literature is also another component looked into by Klein in her analogy of Dr. Kings Letter to Birmingham Jail. It describes not only the capacity of one man to outline the changes in history as he sees it but also redefine a strategy towards providing these ideas in a unique and effective format and style. This then becomes an essential culminating process that allows Dr. King to transcend over his readers regardless of age and time.

Another important element described within Kleins article looks into the application of tone by Dr. King in the Letter to Birmingham Jail. Analyzing the text carefully, readers would be brought to the world and situation where Dr. King lives. The way he points out key issues happening during his lifetime illustrates his great skill in addressing the tone of his letter. To justify this cause, Klein stipulates that,

Kings tone is engaging because of its candor and its lack of affectation he appeals, if you will, to the life-wish rather than to the death-wise that would be implied in a tone characterized by defiance and aggression (31).  

Lastly, the article also seeks to highlight various areas that scholars have sought to understand concerning Dr. Kings letter. Under this process, each one has brought to the table different meanings all encompassing the common themes and sought to redefine the way his work continues to showcase a new sense of interpretations on common ideas. This has been supplemented by Klein as she reasons on the value of Kings application of relevant development of sentences correspond to creating a powerful meaning and convey a strong purpose or desire for change. From the use of parallels to application of alliteration and assonance, Dr. Kings letter signifies the transition towards a normal letter to a significant one.

Overall, these attempts strengthen the value that the Letter from Birmingham Jail seeks to provide among readers. Not only does it convey the important message among readers but also reconsolidate efforts for interpretation and induce the necessary values that can spark the theme for change. It is through such capacity that the value of his words and the kind of music it portrays can become the direction towards achieving change (37).

Reflecting on Kleins article, I agree with the claim of the author that there are indeed numerous ways that Dr. Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail can be interpreted. It is only a matter of how people can view the perspective and the value his writing provides to readers. In essence, the value used by the article coincides with a more lyrical and literary element. It seeks to understand the perspective and use of complex schemes to come up with something new and vibrant about his work.

In essence, I do believe that the work of Dr. King is in itself timeless. Despite the idea that it seeks to convey his personal anguish, anxiety, and essence of hope to a situation beyond his control, the ability of the text to transcend towards readers captivates not only the people during his time but also today with the thought of understanding his mindset. Seeing this, it only goes to show the capacity of using literary devices not only to expound meaning but also redefine the way the themes of freedom, liberty and equality are appreciated.

Seeing this, I did believe that the Letter from Birmingham Jail is not merely an approach towards seeking redemption for those who read it but also a continuous challenge for readers to reflect on their actions. In here, it seeks to help people realize the value of the principles that people enjoy today. Contrary to what we enjoy now, the people during Dr. Kings time had to clamor for it. Society during that period was not tolerant of these differences and more often than not subjected to various criticisms and prejudices.

These in turn becomes the necessary component to continuously remind us that we must be thankful of what we have and appreciate the value that Dr. King and his contemporaries fought in our country. With the increasing threats that are happening nowadays, one can look back and use these tenets as symbolisms for imparting change to a country that is losing sight of what truly matters. These then is the essential tool that becomes the culminating element that shapes the process for adaptability.

Overall, the Letter from Birmingham Jail continues to captivate and instill the proper values on my part. Considering this, the epitome of his writing adheres towards hoping for betterment and a new tomorrow just as long as we set our minds to it. The King Center quotes,

Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.