(I am floored. What an amazing piece of American Rhetoric)
Martin Luther does a good job of appealing to the audience’s ethos throughout his article. I felt like he did exceptionally well turning the odds in his favor at the beginning of the article, and did so as to credit the rest of his arguments and appeals that follow.
He starts by explaining how unordinary his response is, and claims that his response was given because he feels they are good men. In this case, he is building up the relationship between the two parties (him and the clergyman). He shares his opinion that these are good and respectable men, and in doing so creates an essence of his character (the he is a trusting, understanding, friend.) Right from the get go Martin Luther is conscience of his audience, and does not alienate them or their opinions.
He then strengthens this opinion of him, by sharing facts about his background. He builds his character to be much more than just a man behind bars. He does this through statements like, “ I have the honor of serving as president of the…Conference,” or “I was invited here”. These statements give him credibility as to why he is there behind bars, and he tries to show us that it is because he IS a man of character, rather than not.
His argument for being a man of character is continued through the next paragraph as he alludes to prophets from the scriptures: “just as Paul.. carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town.”
This is an ethical appeal through its’ power as an emotional appeal. Let me explain. Martin Luther responds to his audiences understanding of religion by persuading them to draw the conclusion that he is like the prophet Paul. In other words, this comparison would have no affect unless his audience believed or related to the Apostle Paul. Recognizing that they have some connection to Paul, Martin Luther builds his character as crediting his desires as similar to that of Paul’s.
This is a very affective start to his essay.
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