Even the most superficial analysis of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and Jonathan's "A Modest Proposal" Swift reveals glaring differences between the two essays. . Surprisingly, a side-by-side comparison also reveals many similarities between the two works. The most obvious similarity between the two essays lies in the overall theme of the subject. In both essays, the authors address deep-rooted social injustices. For example, in "Letter From Birmingham Jail," King, in his very passionate and evocative style, submits a powerful essay that addresses racial segregation in the American South during the 1950s and 1960s. In his letter, King mentions that the brutal history of the trials and tribulations of "black Americans", measured by the impact of the social injustices they suffered, dates back to the era of slavery, a history that took root long before the “emancipation” of President Lincoln. Proclamation" was written (5). According to King, "Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before Jefferson's pen crossed out the pages of history with the majestic word of the Declaration of Independence, we were here." (5). King makes it clear that social inequality and injustice were an integral part of the he history of blacks in America between the upper class and the lower class. Its attention is mainly directed to the suffering of children who "...... middle of paper ...... and "Letter from prison. of Birmingham" by Martin Luther King Jr. are very different in terms of literary technique. and their approach, the two works have strange similarities which result in surprising resemblances in many respects. The comparisons and contrasts drawn here highlight the most significant features regarding the works of two men who are both revered for the virtues they espoused during their lives. their life. Works CitedKing, Jr., Martin Luther, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” www.uscrossier.org/pullias/king-jr-letter-from-birmingham/‎.Swift, Jonathan, “A Modest Proposal,” www2. hn.psu.edu/.../swift-modestproposal6x9.pdf‎.http://itiswhatitislifeishard.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/nonviolent-proposals-responses-to-societal-issues-in-jonathan-martinets -a-modest-proposal-and-martin-luther-king-jr-s-letter-from-birmingham-prison/.