Antithesis, which expands the idea of diction since it involves using word choice to create a contrast, is used by both authors to allow the readers to visualize the injustice prevalent in the time period. Martin Luther King Jr, had argued that ”Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” He also elaborated that African Americans were forgotten in regards to success by claiming that they were “in an airtight case of poverty in the midst of an affluent society.” Martin Luther King uses the word choice to respectfully reveal that inequality prevails. He warms that this inequality could lead to a worse occurrence. Moreover, Harper Lee had written in To Kill a Mockingbird that “…people like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well as in the depths of a depression.” Harper Lee could suggest that the Ewells, likely given that they were white, lived in a better circumstance than African Americans. The unfortunate realization that African Americans would not live tolerably in the same circumstance provides an example of the injustice in the setting.

In both sources of literature, both Harper Lee and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. strategically utilize semiotics of Illness and Health to reflect the historical context in which their work is written. Harper Lee’s semiotics of Illness and Health to achieve this reflection are affirmed with the phrase,”There’s nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who’ll take advantage of a Negro’s ignorance.” This phrase embodies the recurring theme throughout the novel of racism/inequality as well as specific diction with the word “Negro” to provide the reader with the historical context of the novel. Similarly to Harper Lee, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also utilizes Illness and Health Semiotics to achieve reflection of historical context with the phrases,”disease of segregation” and “Depressing clouds of inferiority”. These phrases assert the overall theme in MLK’s argument in an analogical manner as well as express his feelings towards the issue he is arguing about. 

“I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody… I’m hard put, sometimes—baby, it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.” (Chapter 11). Mr. Atticus Finch is unique in his response to Scout's question about the bad words she heard. He does not condemn her for using them, but instead encourages her to call herself whatever name she feels comfortable with, without fear of judgement, a common problem within their county. Similarly, in the Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King argues that “ Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” He is elaborating here that the inequality the African Americans are facing is a threat to the so-called “success” the government makes and without direct recognition it will just led to further complications in the future. 

      Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s response to the clergymen, while in Birmingham Jail, he refuted their claims by using diction and antithesis to express his opinion on segregation. Specifically, he found it to be a “disease” and caused people to be “plagued with inner fears”. King’s use of strong words throughout his speech helps convey a feeling many African Americans feel about segregation by using words related to sickness and health. Furthermore, King uses antithesis by indicating his opinion on unjust laws by saying “injustice is a threat to justice everywhere. Both literary strategies help establish King’s perspective by utilizing bold words to show his feelings. 

         In To Kill a Mockingbird semiotics is further expanded on to show the racial divide during the 1960s. Specifically, Atticus states “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it all without bitterness and most of all without catching Maycomb’s disease”. In other words, Atticus symbolizes Maycomb as a disease because of its environment’s ability to cause racism. Furthermore, “They were white hands, sickly white hands that had never seen the sun…”. The white hands represent how many African Americans worked in factories, the rich part of society sits inside their houses. 

    Overall, both texts deeply bridge the indifferences in society. They also use imagery and semiotics to help readers visualize the scenes. Both text focused on the hardships slaves faced throughout the 1900s and helped readers try and understand the experiences African Americans during slavery.