Abstract The paper discusses Dudley Randall's poem, "Ballad of Birmingham," with an emhasis on the irony in the poem.
From the Paper "In Dudley Randall's poem "Ballad of Birmingham" he actively portrays the life and death of one young girl in the space of eight quatrains. Martin Luther King Jr's church in Birmingham, Alabama was actually bombed by white terrorists. Four little girls died in the explosion. This poem is based on the real life events of that attack."
Tags: dudley randall, balad of birmingham, irony, martin luther king
Abstract This paper looks at the use of rhetoric in King's "Letters from a Birmingham Jail." The paper discusses the major elements of appeal to logic, emotion and ethics, with detailed examples to support each style. This paper other further mentions other rhetorical elements in the context of supporting these basic elements.
From the Paper "In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," he writes to his fellow religious leaders, ministers and clergymen who had written an open letter asking him and his fellow civil rights activists to stop demonstrating. He writes using incredibly powerful language and demonstrating elegant and precise rhetorical skills. King uses a wide variety of rhetorical techniques, primarily taking the form of an Aristotelian deliberative oratory. His focus is examining the question of whether or not civil rights activists should discontinue their direct actions of civil disobedience for the sake of maintaining order and the status quo, or whether they had an obligation to God and justice for all to continue. King, of course, argues that not only is he right for doing what he has been doing, but that there is a civil, moral, logical and ethical imperative to do so."
Abstract By analyzing and comparing traditional and modern ballads, some characteristics of traditional ballads imitated by modern ballad writers can be found. The examples of the former are "Sir Patrick Spens" and "Lord Rendal," and those of the latter are "The Murder of Maria Marten" and "Ballad of Birmingham" by Dudley Randall. The discussion of the similarities between these four ballads in this paper focuses on the structure of a ballad stanza, the use of repetition and the manner of story-telling.
From the Paper "Another interesting similarity between the ages of ballads is in the objectivity in which the stories are told. The composer has little emotional reactions and the focus is on the events of the story rather than the effects on the storyteller. In a ballad, therefore, the personality of the narrator is not important. The dialogue in "Ballad of Birmingham," which takes place between a mother and her young daughter, gives an example of a rhyme using a question and answer pattern (Laws 59-60). The little girl asks if she may "go downtown" to join "a Freedom March today?" and the mother answers, "No, baby, no, you may not go" ("Ballad of Birmingham" 1, 4-5)."
Abstract This paper discusses Birmingham, AL Public Safety Commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor in 1961 Birmingham, AL. It gives the report on his connections to the KKK and involvement in attacks on the Freedom Riders of 1961 in Birmingham. This paper also tells of segregation in Birmingham and has direct quotes from Connor as well as other authoritative figures in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement.
From the Paper "During the year of 1961 one man managed to turn the universal police motto of "To Protect and Serve" into a mockery. That is, a mockery for a group of African-American students and Civil Rights leaders who were part of an organization called CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) as well as an entire community. This paper will take a look at the CORE sponsored "Freedom Rides" that challenged segregation in interstate travel facilities in Birmingham, Alabama and how then Commissioner of Public Safety Eugene "Bull" Connor was running the police force to the advantage of his personal racial beliefs. That is, to his advantage in opposition to such challenges as those that the Freedom Riders made on segregation. This analysis will expose Connor's ties to the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama when the Rides took place and will serve as an illustration of the kind of leadership that encouraged bigotry among the white citizens of Birmingham. It will also illustrate the kind of leadership that promoted love and harmony among the races through peaceful and non-violent protest of Connor's policies. Through the following summation of historical facts gathered through evidence one can easily see what the harsh reality of segregation was like in Birmingham during 1961 and how it relates to the Civil Rights Movement as a whole as well as Birmingham's history."
Tags:birmingham, civil, greyhound, john, klan, klux, ku, lewis, movement, racism, rights
Abstract This paper examines the essentials of the ballad form, including the motif, theme, variance, rhyme, meter, repetition, vocabulary and structure. The paper compares the ballads of Sir Patrick Spence and John Henry based on these properties.
From the Paper "Ballads are stories set to music and they usually have verses consisting of four lines each, but this can be extended to six lines, with sometimes a longer verse being inserted among the shorter ones. The ballad was originally an oral tradition and the use of traditional motifs and phrases was relied on heavily to flesh out the stories of the ballad."
Abstract Dr. Martin Luther King was one of the most influential leaders of the twentieth century. His pursuit of justice for African-Americans and humanity was unparalleled. On various occasions, Dr. King was imprisoned for his beliefs and his position on civil disobedience.
This paper examines Dr. King's letter to clergymen from the Birmingham City Jail. It examines why the letter was written and why King was in Birmingham. It also discusses Dr. King's stance on direct action, timing and just and unjust laws. Finally, the paper examines why Dr. King was dismayed by the conduct of some Blacks and the church during the civil rights era.
From the Paper "Dr. King wrote this letter to the clergymen of the city in response to criticism that he had received about his presence in the city. (King) Many of the clergy thought that the protest that King was engaging in was "unwise and untimely" King sought to explain to the clergymen why he felt that he actions were both necessary and unavoidable. (King) He seemed to hope that this letter would aid the men in understanding his actions.
In the letter, King explains that he was invited to Birmingham by an affiliate organization called the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. (King) King explains that as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference it was his duty to share staff, financial and educational resources with the affiliate organizations. In addition, King had come to the understanding that there were certain injustices being perpetuated upon Blacks in the city. He felt that these injustices needed to be examined and dealt with."
Abstract This paper is a biography of Edgar Allan Poe along with a literary analysis of his poem "Ulalume: A Ballad". This essay includes an extensive biographical sketch of Poe to perhaps aid the reader to better understand his works. In addition, the author examines Poe's use of rhyme scheme, meter, and repetition, and overall interpretation of Poe's intended meaning.
From the Paper "The poet and critic, Edgar Allan Poe is considered one of the greatest American authors to have ever written throughout literary history. He composed many short stories and poems from the late 1820's to his death in 1849. Because of the believed complex nature of his psyche, it is vital that the reader know Poe's background and influences in order to analyze his poetry properly."
Abstract This paper examines how "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe" by Carson McCullers is an interesting tale that focuses on strange nature of the emotion called love. It looks at how it deals with interesting yet complicated relationship between three people who are not our average protagonists where looks and appearance are concerned. It also discusses how relationships play an important role for the simple reason that author has taken up the uniqueness of this emotion of love as the central theme.
From the Paper "Miss Amelia is not our usual female protagonist because she is neither beautiful nor rich. She is an ordinary woman with less than average looks and an unusual appearance. About 6'1 tall, she is not very feminine but is well respected in her town because of her small store where she sells wine. Marvin Macy is a handsome man who lacks morals since he is an outlaw and has often been convicted of stealing and robbing. However for some inexplicable reason, he falls in love with Miss Amelia and this brings us to the strangeness of this emotion."
Abstract This paper examines Wadsworth's view that the creation of poetry is an outward expression of an inner emotion or experience. The paper cites text from "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" to illustrate this view and how Wadsworth is able to prove his point.
From the Paper "Wordsworth begins his "preface to Lyrical Ballads" by focusing on issues of style. He claims, "Humble and rustic life was generally chosen, because, in that condition, the essential passions of the heart find a better soil in which they can attain their maturity, are less under restraint, and speak a plainer and more emphatic language" (18). He believes that feelings "coexist in a state of greater simplicity" (18) and, as a result, are "more accurately contemplated, and more forcibly communicated" (18). From this perspective, Wordsworth is aiming the success of poetry as an art form at the human experience. His premise depends on the notion that poetry is meant to be a communication tool first and foremost. As a result, it is the responsibility of the poet to express him or herself in a manner appropriate. Wordsworth is correct in assuming that unless readers can gain pleasure from reading something they do not understand, the poet should descend from his or her "supposed height" and "express himself as other men express themselves" (23). This statement lies at the very heart of Wordsworth's notion."
Abstract The paper discusses the movie "The Ballad of Narayama" (Narayama Bushiko), directed by Shohei Imamura, which portrays both an image of rural 19th century Japanese life and values, and the forces that began to change and shape this society. The paper comments that the movie is based on the book of the same name by novelist Fukasawa, which in turn was derived from an ancient folktale about a society in which the members traditionally abandon their elderly to die of exposure on a mountain top. The paper notes that from this evidence, we can then assume that Imamura brought this fictional legend to screen in order to present, perhaps even to the point of embellishment, the historical Japanese tradition of individual sacrifice for the good of the whole. This paper analyzes first Imamura's practice of appropriating natural images in order to explain the values and lives of the villagers, and secondly, his meticulous portrayal of the intricate relationships and attitudes present in both the family and village of traditional 19th century Japan.
From the Paper "This internal conflict between the more modern humanism and historical Japanese personal sacrifice for the group as personified in Tatsuhei must have resonated with the 1930's audience of Japan, who were, at the time, in the midst of a war, and performing many personal sacrifices of their own on behalf of their country. It raised enough of a response in Europe also, who were then declaring the death of capitalism, and making a move to socialism, to win the grand prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France."
Tags: grudgingly, naturalistic, prestigious, Cannes, film, festival
Abstract This paper rhetorically analyzes Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail", and his great blend of logic and emotion. It describes the human rights demonstrations of that time. The paper illustrates how this letter states the goals and struggles of the African-American civil rights movement and the blind ignorance of the southern whites.
From the Paper "History will remember Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the greatest writers and speakers of the twentieth century. He carefully blended logic and theory with passion and force to mold his eloquent ideas into formidable arguments. One of his greatest works is his "Letter from Birmingham Jail." This letter was written in response to an public statement composed by eight Alabama clergyman. The original document questioned and denounced the recent human rights demonstrations by Negro citizens. While in jail, King read this statement in a newspaper and proceeded to write his rebuttal, a lengthy yet concise perspective of the current racial strife. This rebuttal turned into the famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail", a desegregationalist's discussion of the civil rights movement. King's letter focuses on his responsibilities and goals, the Negro's struggles and hopes, and the white man's ignorance and resistance."
Tags: black, civil, liberties, logic, negro, rhetorical, rights
Abstract This paper reviews the sociohistorical message behind Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail". The author argues that it was King's plea for a united and visible campaign for individual rights.
Abstract This paper gives an analysis of King's "A Letter from Birmingham City Jail". This paper examines the beliefs of King and how he so eloquently expresses his views of religion and society during such time.
Abstract This paper will discuss why Martin Luther King wrote the "Letter from Birmingham Jail", and how it was affected by his incarceration from protesting in the South. By understanding the message that his letter tells us we will realize the ramifications of this letter in the scope of injustice that is so common during this period of time with blacks in the Civil Rights Movement.
Abstract This three-page undergraduate paper is in the form of a response essay to Martin Luther King, Jr's letter from a Birmingham jail. The author analyzes the themes of the letter and examines how King's essay expressed his beliefs.
