Answer :
The correct option is b. The best answer is (b) to emphasize his personal connection to segregation.
King uses the story of his daughter to show how segregation hurts him personally, not just others. It makes a complex issue relatable.
Dr. King uses a powerful personal anecdote to show how segregation directly impacts his own life and family. Seeing his daughter's sadness highlights the emotional toll of a segregated society, making his message about equality more relatable.
The other options are incorrect:
(a) to illustrate the cruelty and violence of a segregated South: While segregation is undeniably cruel, the excerpt doesn't directly mention violence. It focuses on the emotional impact of being denied access to a place of amusement, which is a different aspect of segregation.
(c) to describe the daily struggles of black children: This is partially true. The passage does show how segregation affects children, but the main point is how it affects Dr. King himself. His personal connection strengthens the message.
(d) to explain the disparity of segregated parks: The details about his daughter and Funtown don't delve into the legal or logistical aspects of separate parks. The focus is on the emotional impact, not a technical explanation.
The complete question is- Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
You suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children.
What is the author’s purpose for including this sentence?
a. to illustrate the cruelty and violence of a segregated South
b. to emphasize his personal connection to segregation
c. to describe the daily struggles of black children
d. to explain the disparity of segregated parks
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s purpose is to vividly convey the pain of racial segregation and to persuade and illustrate the necessity for immediate civil rights actions.
The author's purpose for including the detailed and emotional account of trying to explain racial segregation to a young child is to convey the deep personal pain and the injustice of segregation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses vivid imagery and personal experiences to persuade his readers to empathize with the African American experience under segregation.
His purpose is also to illustrate the harsh realities of systemic racism, and to underscore the urgency of the civil rights movement. King's powerful narrative style serves to challenge the complacency of his audience, making a compelling case for why immediate action is necessary.