Question

Directions: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" includes many examples of figurative language meant to persuade people to take action. Read the lines from the letter and identify ONE type of figurative language (some excerpts may contain more than one), its meaning, its effect on mood and tone, and its effect on the audience. An example has been completed for you. Then, answer the analysis question.

2. Like a boil that can never be cured as long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its pus-flowing ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must likewise be exposed, with all of the tension its exposing creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.

Type of figurative language:

Meaning of figurative language:

Effect on tone and mood:

Effect on audience:

Answer 1

light of human conscience

Type of figurative language:

Metaphor

Meaning of figurative language:

Just as the human conscience always reminds us of the truth it is compared to light because of its transparency.

Effect on tone and mood:

It has a serious tone and creates a solemn mood

Effect on audience:

It makes the audience reflect on their conscience which tells them that injustice is wrong as illuminating and right.

Step-by-step explanation:

A Metaphor is a figurative language that links an object directly to another. The reason why a metaphor is used is to make the audience imagine what the author is talking about.

Since the object being linked to the words the author wishes to use is very relatable to the audience, it makes the thoughts easier to convey and more real to the audience. This is what Martin Luther King aims to achieve when he linked light to the human conscience.