Question

read the excerpt from dr. martin luther kings \letter from birmingham jail.\ of course, there is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience. it was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of shadrach, meshach and abednego to obey the laws of nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. king uses this allusion to retell an important historical tale. describe a governmental struggle in another place. explain the reason for his peaceful approach. forge a connection with familiar figures of faith.

Explanation:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are familiar figures from religious (specifically biblical) faith. King's allusion to them isn't to retell a historical tale (the focus is on civil disobedience's moral basis, not retelling), nor to describe a governmental struggle elsewhere (the example is about moral law vs. human law), nor to explain his peaceful approach (the allusion connects to faith figures for moral authority). So the allusion is to forge a connection with familiar faith figures.

Answer:

D. forge a connection with familiar figures of faith.