This passage is by no means a message of simplicity, and good intentioned writing for his son to be taken lightly. Chesterfield reflects his own values and morals in these short paragraphs, in attempts to remind his son of his responsibilities for him to “weigh and consider”. Chesterfield’s morals and values are clearly portrayed by his use of strategies such as understatement, contradiction, rhetorical question, and lastly he uses guilt, to make his intention unquestionable
How does a parent change the behavior of the prodigal child? Chesterfield can attempt to bring his partying son to his senses by writing a persuasive argument. Chesterfield laces his first paragraph with understatement, in order to make his intentions clear, also he spends the first 17 lines discrediting his own advice and morals even, only to contradict himself later on – “ I know, too, that the advice of parents, more particularly, is ascribed to the moroseness, the imperiousness, or the garrulity of old age.” Imperiousness – come on Chesterfield, in no way do you feel arrogant after writing out all those fat checks so “uncommon care” can be taken into his son’s education just so he can party overseas and not take advantage of his head start on the world, lets be honest, Chesterfield is dealing with a parents worst nightmare.
Chesterfields rhetoric is also truly apparent is the quote “I flatter myself, that as your own reason, young as it is, must tell you, that I can have no interest but yours in the advice I give you.” Here he basically states his faith in his son’s ability to derive, and implement good advice, but clearly the underlying meaning is that his own advice is the best.
The Term Paper on Situational Writing
1. Your name is John Brown. You recently moved to a big city and have decided to write to a friend, Ben Jackson, from your old neighbourhood. Write a letter describing life in your new city and your feelings about the change. 2. Your name is Steven Adams. You want to go on holiday in the summer but you do not have enough money. Write a letter to your friend, Caroline White, asking for her advice ...
Chesterfield’s constant contradiction however does not stop there, Chesterfield’s intention by using by persuasive strategy, is most definitely guilt trip his son. “ I do not, therefore, so much as to hint to you, how absolutely dependant you are upon me; that you neither have, nor can have a shilling in the world but from me… I have no womanish weakness for you person.” These lines are by far the strongest in the passage, not only does Chesterfield break down his sons feeling of self worth (using guilt).
His intentions are obvious, he is basically saying that his son is obligated to follow his advice, contradicting what he said earlier about taking or leaving your parents advice.
After revealing his true intention, Chesterfield switches gears, and breaks out his rhetorical questions to really put doubt and guilt into in his son and his fellow audience reading this in the eyes of his son. There is no “greater pleasure than to be universally allowed to excel those of one’s own age and manner of life?” Son, your opportunities are limited, so don waste them. Chesterfield’s use of rhetorical questions most of all makes clear that his son has had more opportunities than most children, and that he should truly be trying to take advantage of them.
This essay can be broken down into two parts, the contradictory part, and then the rhetorical part. This is truly down to earth, straightforward, “no-bull” summary of what chesterfield wishes for his child’s future, while at the same time revealing to son the values that he holds most dear to him. Having said that, this essay was less of a suggestion, but more of threat, using sarcastic tone, and politeness, making the formality seem unique, but overall the general feeling Chesterfield wises to synthesize is guilt. There is no doubt that he is disappointed in his son’s decision to not take advantage of his highly privileged education, so in short terms, this is a letter portraying a parents worst nightmare, and how does he/she deal with this utterly distracted child?
