In a letter written to his son, Lord Chesterfield reminds him of his responsibilities that have been given to him and incites to his son of the ever crucial values that are held at a very high regard on his behalf. Lord Chesterfield hopes to steer his son back on the right path by reinstating what he considers to be the noble thing a gentleman of his son’s age should do.
It is quite obvious from the letter that Lord Chesterfield is dissatisfied with the decisions his son has made while exploring his new found independence. Lord Chesterfield intends to bring reality back into his son’s view by saying, “I do not, therefore, so much as hint to you, how absolutely dependent you are upon me; that you neither have, nor can have a shilling in the world but from me…” The value he is trying to show his son is responsibility and humility. His son needs to recognize that it is by his father’s hand that he is able to experience life and independence during this time and to be responsible enough to control himself and not waste this opportunity.
Lord Chesterfield now prompts the importance of his son getting an education and the significance it can have on his life. In stating his opinion on education, Lord Chesterfield says, “Can there be a greater pleasure than to be universally allowed to excel those of one’s own age and manner of life? And, consequently, can there be anything more mortifying than to be excelled by them?” The use of rhetorical questions suggests the substantial amount of importance the value of education must mean to Lord Chesterfield. He hopes to prove to his son that having an education is worth so much more than the effort he is putting into it and that it will make his future easier in the business realm.
The Essay on Lord Chesterfield 2
It reads “moroseness, the imperiousness, or the garrulity of” (line 7). Chesterfield is explaining how he understands advice does not always want to be heard, no matter how important it may be. This rhetorical device helps to reveal his values because it amplifies his feelings toward the advice he’s giving. There are also two similes in the first paragraph, “dictate as a parent” (line 17) and “ ...
The final point Lord Chesterfield intends to convey to his son is the eminence of experience. Lord Chesterfield starts off by saying, “I mean likewise to excel in the thing itself; for, in my mind, one may as well not know a thing at all, as know it but imperfectly. To know a little of anything, gives neither satisfaction nor credit; but often brings disgrace or ridicule”. Lord Chesterfield wants his son to be properly prepared for the social aspect of life. If you do not know what you’re talking about or have not experienced enough of life and you remain sheltered, then shunning and mockery may follow you wherever you go and that is what Lord Chesterfield aims to warn his son about.
Lord Chesterfield’s entire purpose is to simply remind his son of his loving father’s expectations for him as a young man and also for very meaningful advice that will only better him for the future. He does not intend to teach his son new values but simply remind him of old ones that he’s been taught his whole life and the appropriate way of exploring his independence.
