Letter From Birmingham City Jail

Martin Luther King Jr.

P. 156 (Connections to Today's World - Thematic Connection)

1. Who did Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders from the 50's and 60's share ideas with from early America?

2. What were some of the themes addressed by Martin Luther King Jr. as well as early American revolutionaries?

3. What was King arrested for in 1963?

4. What was "Letter From Birmingham City Jail" a response to? What was it written on due to the lack of proper writing paper?

5. Approximately how many people were present during King's speech at the March on Washington?

P. 156 (Connections to Today's World - Martin Luther King, Jr.)

6. What year was King born? What year was he assassinated?

7. Who did King adopt his nonviolent philosophy from?

8. How old was King at the time of his assassination?

P. 157 (Letter From Birmingham City Jail)

9. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture of the man conducting a "sit-in" on page 157. Basing your response on their posture and activity, what might the customer and the waitress be feeling?

10. Build Vocabulary: What are "motives"?

P. 158 (Letter From Birmingham City Jail)

11. Compare and Contrast: How do King's comments concerning God compare to those made by Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Phillis Wheatley?

12. Build Vocabulary: What is the definition of "flagrant"? Where else have you seen this word?

P. 159 (Letter From Birmingham City Jail)

13. Analyze: What are some specific examples that King uses to acknowledge the "real heroes" of the South?  

Check Your Comprehension

14. What is the author's opinion of the Birmingham police officer's behavior?

Critical Thinking

15. Compare Martin Luther King's letter with the Declaration of Independence. Explain who themes in the letter echo those in the Declaration.