A Reflection on Mark My Words: Letters of a Businessman to his Son by G Kingsley Ward
Common sense is a disappearing art form not only from business but also from society. It used to be that students seeking a higher education would go to school to build around their common sense. Today students go to school in the hopes of attaining common sense. I'm afraid our society has become so emotionally driven that decisions are made on emotion rather than common sense. Certainly emotions are not bad and at times emotional decisions are warranted; but never are they warranted in complete detachment form common sense. Mark My Words: Letters of a Businessman to his Son is an ultimate glorification of common sense, hard work, and priceless business principles that work and guarantee every person a chance to succeed in the high stakes game of business.
Just before World War II Rudi Kaplan starts learning a very important lesson. A Father’s Promise is a historical fiction written by Donnalynn Hess. The setting is in 1939 right before World War II in Warsaw, Poland.
will be referred to as ‘Peter’ in this essay which is in line with the
Petch, Simon. “The Business of the Barrister in A Tale of Two Cities.” Criticism 44.1 (2002):
The business of making a book together was new for both of us. Difficult. Awkward. Another book could be constructed about a writer who goes to a prison to interview his bother but comes away with his own story….the inevitible conflict between his role as detached observer and his responsibility as a brother would be at the center of such a book. When I stopped hearing Robby and listened to myself listening, that kind of book shouldered its way into my consciousness. I didn’t like that feeling. That book compromised the intimacy I wanted to achieve with my brother. (Wideman p. 723)
Poverty is also the sole reason behind Walter’s irrational decisions. All Walter wishes to acquire as an individual is happiness for his family, especially his son Travis. The opportunities missed by Walter were all due to poverty, but now that there is a possibility for money and change.” In fact, here’s another fifty cents…Buy yourself some fruit today – or take a taxicab to school or something! (1.1.59) Walter tries every little thing to not let his son feel the poverty that the family is going through. For Walter the only way out of poverty is the dream he has for the liquor store and for that very dream he is willing to go to any measure. Hurdles come along the way; bribery is an issue that Walter must resort to. And without thinking it out through and sensibly his passion takes the best off him and the availability of money seems best fit. “Yeah. You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place be ‘bout thirty thousand, see. That be ten thousand each. Course, there’s a couple of hundred you got to pay...
Lord Chesterfield commences the letter doubtful whether sending this letter will be effectual as advice from parents “is ascribed to the moroseness, the imperiousness, or the garrulity of old age” (ln. 6-8). By giving examples of how advice is typically perceived from parents, Chesterfield prepares his son to take his advice very seriously. Chesterfield then goes on saying he “[advises] [his son] as a friend, an indulgent one too” (18-19). By speaking in terms of
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.
Abrams, M.H. and Greenblatt, Stephen eds. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Seventh Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001.
Galbraith sees conventional wisdom as “simple, convenient, comfortable, and comforting-though not necessarily true” (Levitt and Dubner, 86). Conventional wisdom is used as a means to understanding the world and make one’s ideals seem reasonable. This conventional wisdom is used by experts, advertisers, police men, and your next door neighbor; how they use it differs depending on their own self-interests.
The relationship between a father and son is oftentimes portrayed as a strong one. The bond is a special one, where knowledge is given and affection is returned. However, for 18th-century author Lord Chesterfield, this is not the case. Lord Chesterfield solely values a favorable appearance and compliance from his son, reflected by his diction and usage of a patronizing tone towards him through the entirety of the letter.
Letters to My Son are letters written by Lord Chesterfield to his son whereby he praises and criticizes him. Chesterfield uses a number of literary devices in his letter such as metaphors, imageries, anastrophe, tonal shift and many others. In addition, Chesterfield uses rhetorical devices such as logos and name calling so that his son can heed to his advices. Chesterfield uses different tones, and language devices to make pass his intended information to his son. He changes his tone, and uses different language styles to be able to convince his son to follow the values, and advices in the letter written to him. In the end, through his language skills and tonal values, he is able to convey his message to his son which is meant to elevate him above all, and become an independent person. Chesterfield is suggestive and condescending in his language, and tone in the letter but his views are very clearly articulated.
As a jab towards the upper class of her time, Austen’s Sir Walter is a conceited, silly, vain, man with a problem of extravagantly overspending. (5) His irresponsibility has brought debt onto the family. Lady Russell, along with help from another family friend, Mr. Shepherd, devised a plan to free the Elliot’s of their debt. First, they suggested that Sir Elliot cut his spending, a concept, which strongly he o...
Carlisle, Janice. “The Mirror In the Mill on the Floss; Toward Reading of Autobiography Discourse”. Studies in the Literary Imagination. Vol 23:Issue 2. [EBSCO] Masterfile Premier 1990
Correspondence through letter writing is a very imperative method of communication. Letter writing allows to analysis the thoughts, emotions and human experiences felt by the (party) involved. This document is a primary document, with all primary documents one but be vigilant to recognise any bias that may occur. This document is a letter written from a young girl, originally from Spiddal, Co. Galway who immigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . Her name is Annie O’Donnell. Annie’s letters are penned to her soon to be husband Jim.
The excerpt from Lord Chesterfield’s ridiculing letter to his son reveals Lord Chesterfield’s own values by appealing to the parental emotions that Chesterfield summons within himself both scolding and praising; the guidance and reliability within Chesterfield that qualifies him to guide his son despite his own mistakes; and the logical advice that has proven worthy in Chesterfield’s own life regarding education and a proper work ethic.