In "Letter from Birmingham Jail" Martin Luther King, Jr. writes: "But as I continued to think about the
matter I gradually gained a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist....Was not Thomas
Jefferson an extremist - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' So the
question is not whether we will be extremist but what kind of extremist will we be. Will we be extremists
for hate or will we be extremists for love?" In at least 150 words, identify and explain the allusion in this
quotation and discuss how this allusion strengthens King's arguments in the letter.

Respuesta :

The allusion is established when King makes a reference to Thomas Jefferson and it can strengthen King's arguments.

What is the effect of this allusion?

  • It shows that extremism is not always harmful.
  • It shows that Jefferson was an extremist in seeking beneficial social improvement.
  • It shows that King is also seeking beneficial social improvement.
  • It equates King with Jefferson, who is known as an American hero.

King shows that his stance on fighting for civil rights is similar to Jefferson's stance on fighting for American freedom. Since both belong to oppressed social classes and had innovative and rebellious ideas that would change the entire social construction.

In doing so, King equates himself with Jefferson and allows the reader to understand that if Jefferson is defended by American society, King must also be, otherwise the concepts of racism and prejudice will prevail, as King points out.

Learn more about what an allusion is:

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