March Rhetorical Analysis The 1960’s civil rights movement often used persuasive language to echo the unheard voices of many individuals. Some more than others possessed the ability to exercise their potent use of language to bring forward prominent changes. In the book, March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, eloquent methods of speech play an important role. John Lewis, Martin Luther King, and George Wallace are some that expressed their beliefs through persuasive empowering words. Let’s begin with John Lewis as he is the primary focal point. John Lewis is known to be a great contributor and influence on the civil rights movement. He faced much tribulation alongside those whom stood up for their egalitarian communal beliefs. Thus, defending …show more content…
Lewis accomplished this by illustrating an emotional appeal in his speech when he expressed, “But what did the federal government do when Albany’s deputy sheriff beat attorney C.B. King and left him for dead? What did the federal government do when local police officials kicked and assaulted the pregnant wife of Slater King…and she lost her baby” (Lewis and Aydin 169). Clearly the tone set is that of disgust and anger by not only emotionally charging his statement but by disclosing repugnant behavior (e.g. see figure 1). Essentially, helping the audience understand his stance when he exclaims, “And then you holler, ‘Be patient.’ How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now. We do not want to go to jail—but we will go to jail if this is the price we must pay for love, brotherhood, and true peace” (Lewis and Aydin 170). Of the experiences and sentiment John Lewis delivered within his words the usage of ethos, logos, and pathos becomes clearly visible. Lewis uses ethics and logic when he expressed a bill was needed to ensure equality. The examples used to explain police brutality and abuse of authority conceive an emotional visual inflicting the audience to personally feel it. There was not any room for patience, only for change. Another captivating speaker is reputable Martin Luther King whom enticed a mass public with influential persuasive language. The iconic “I Have a Dream Speech” delivered at the March on Washington—same march John Lewis presented his speech—utilized a somewhat different approach. King’s speech depicted the life that was yearned for by so many. In this dream equality and freedom prevail in his
Throughout March Book Two John Lewis tells how he was directly involved in both public demonstrations and behind-the-scenes meetings with government officials and African-American leaders. He recalls with unflinching honesty his account from the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church to his eventual break with Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s (SNCC) increasingly radical elements. Alternating stomach-turning incidents of violence including his own vicious clubbing on the Selma to Montgomery march with passages of impassioned rhetoric from many voices, he chronicles the growing fissures within the movement. In the stunning conclusion to the March trilogy. Congressman John Lewis tells how by the fall of 1963, the Civil Rights Movement has penetrated deep into the American nation, and as chairman of the SNCC, John Lewis is guiding the tip of the spear.
Further elaborated in Lewis’ speech is the idea of taking a stand towards something that one believes in by persuading those participating in the march to be a part of this movement for equality and integration for all. Lewis illustrates this idea by stating, “We must get in this revolution and complete the revolution” (para 8). In this statement, Lewis refers to the fight for integration and freedom as a “revolution” rather than a movement. This implies that Lewis sees this movement as something that is going to make a huge change and also reveals his confidence toward that change being positive for the African American society. The significance of this statement is that Lewis is not just speaking just to speak, but he is speaking with a
Thus, Lewis is conveying to his brothers to stay united and together fight for equality. He speaks with power in every word he says. Toward the politicians he uses his diction carefully in order to but the load of bricks on their backs. Throughout the speech, we come across the understanding of what changes need to be made in order to achieve the same state of equality. Lewis motivates the people by giving them the sense of hope.
It was the 1959-1960 school year in Nashville, Tennessee. I large spring of hope began to bubble up from the earth. It’s beginning came from American Baptist College. A major proponent for this geyser was John Lewis. John Lewis was a student activist that led sit-ins and non-violent movements.
Contextualizing the rhetorical situation of John Lewis’ March on Washington speech allows readers to break down four major parts in order to have a better understanding of the rhetoric involved. Each of the four parts, that is the author, the purpose, the audience and the origin( space and time) help to elaborate on the significance of the speech at hand. Specifically in this rhetorical situation, we will delve into the several factors that played significant roles in shaping how The March on Washington was not only presented to John Lewis and his peers, but as well as the country. When looking at the four parts necessary in contextualizing the rhetorical situation, it is important to note any problems or constraints that might have motivated
On the morning of August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his most powerful and famous speech. His use of pathos, ethos, and logos are the foundation of his persuasive movement. King's energy and passion lights a civil rights fire that even today refuses to diminish. How does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr persuade thousands even millions to fight for freedom? It is simply his use of ethos, pathos, and logos.
MLK never tries to come across as arrogant or above anyone else. However, he purposely used these factual and biblical references, as well as quotes from inspiring people, in order for the audience to gain intense faith in King and force them to truly believe in him. He used this tactic in order to prove his message of how a bar for social justice and equality is possible and has been set for the people to reach. In addition to establishing the logos appeal within Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, he also conveyed brilliant diction through his use of repetition, passionate word choice, and vivid imagery. For example, he used repetition
John Lewis spoke 6th that day. As seen in figure one. His speech was very powerful. His focus was mostly on all the injustice the people of color face. Lewis argues that “….
The right to protest is a basic human right guaranteed straight out of the U.S Constitution. However, this right was infringed upon when the Birmingham police force used excessive force to quell a peaceful civil rights protest. Not only did they throw Martin Luther King Jr. in jail for protesting peacefully, but also his fellow clergymen applauded the actions of the Birmingham police force. Persuasive and Hopeful, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” letter urges the clergymen to change their opinion on the way the police acted, and also what he hopes the future will be like for African Americans in America. Through his use of tone, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical tools, King Jr. attempts to sway the opinions of
John Lewis was a major part of the “Big Six” civil rights movement. And helped the way of discrimination to stop. 1 reasons is the amount of events john Lewis was apart of. Second reason is that he is the last one out of the big six. John Robert Lewis was born on February 21 1940, he had a very happy childhood.
During the 1960’s civil rights movement hundreds of blacks were unlawfully arrested and beaten in attempts to end segregation. Many civil rights leaders such as John Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King jr. and professor, Jim lawson strived to teach and demonstrate others how to bring equality peace by using non-violence methods. Marching, protesting, and participating in sit-ins tested the strength, morals, and dignity of John Lewis and others. The trilogy March, tells a story about a young farm boy, John Lewis, who was inspired to help end segregation and how he used non-violence at protests, marches, and sit-ins.
MLK also uses rhetorical devices to persuade the audience. MLK states In Letter To Birmingham Jail, “Why direct action, why sit-ins, marches, and so forth?” (King 7) MLK used rhetorical questions so the audience would have to think to themselves. MLK is showing the audience that by doing these actions is the only way they will be heard.
The audience would be drawn to the cries of hundreds of African Americans wanting an opportunity to engage with all Americans. Lewis provides a brief context of peaceful protesters that have been mistreated
The graphic memoir, March, is a biography about Congressman John Lewis’ young life in rural Alabama which provides a great insight into lives of black families in 1940s and 50s under Jim Crow and segregation laws. March opens with a violent march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which the gruesome acts later became known as “Bloody Sunday,” during this march, 600 peaceful civil rights protestors were attacked by the Alabama state troopers for not listening to their commands. The story then goes back and forth depicts Lewis growing up in rural Alabama and President Obama’s inauguration in 2009. This story of a civil rights pioneer, John Lewis, portrays a strong influence between geography, community, and politics. The correlation between these pillars of March is that they have to coexist with other in order for John Lewis to exist that the world knows today.
To achieve this, he used rhetorical strategies such as appeal to pathos and repetition. His passionate tone flowed through these strategies, increasing their persuasive power on the people and encouraging them to follow/listen to his message on racial injustice. While pathos elicits an emotional response from the audience to make them more accepting of King’s ideas, repetition structures the speech and emphasizes key ideas for the audience to take away from listening. These two techniques played a crucial role in furthering his purpose and in provoking a powerful response from the audience that made this speech memorable and awe-inspiring. To this day, King’s speech remains one of the most famous and influential speeches in