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. Metaphors are used by Chesterfield, whereby he uses them to portray his son’s values. Chesterfield builds his son up, and provides all the obstacles that could come into his life in the near future. He takes his time to warn his son about the problems, and struggles that he is to face in the future through a metaphor where he says, “thorns and briars which scratched and disfigured me in the course of my youth” (Stanhope 91). He refers to these problems as thorns and briars. He was frightened that his son was going to make the same mistakes he made while he was a youth and so, he had to warn him in advance of what awaits him. He uses metaphors in his warnings just to emphasize his points. Later on, in his warnings to his son; Chesterfield also uses anastrophe in contradicting his points. He uses anastrophe as an understa... ... middle of paper ... ...g dependent on his father for the things he could not accomplish. Works Cited Chesterfield, Lord. Lord Chesterfield's Letters (Oxford World's Classics). Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA, 2008. Print. Chesterfield, Lord. Lord Chesterfield's Letters: Complete, Unabridged, and Uncensored. Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA, 2008. Print. Stanhope, Philip Dormer. The Best Letters of Lord Chesterfield: Letters to His Son, and Letters to His Godson (Classic Reprint). Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA, 2012. Print. Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope. The Best Letters of Lord Chesterfield: Letters to His Son, and Letters to His Godson. 1899. Reprint. London: Forgotten Books, 2013. Print. Sayle, Charles Edward and Stanhope, Philip Dormer. Letters written by Lord Chesterfield to his son by Earl of Chesterfield. Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA, 2013. Print.
In his letter dated January 30, 1801, Charles Lamb efficiently utilizes a variety of rhetorical techniques to eloquently and politely decline William Wordsworth’s invitation to visit him. Mr. Lamb is an especially well-equipped individual in the field of composition, as indicated by his efficient use of rhetorical devices (Latinate word choice, sentence structure, and other aspects of syntax). He is able to deliver his message of decline politely and eloquently while at the same time avoiding the offense of the reader, Mr. William Wordsworth. He is able to explain why he is unable to accept the offer without giving the impression of being off-put. And he does so with class, sophistication, and skill.
Often time, parents want their children to succeed; however, they have differing reasons for why they want their children to succeed. In Chesterfield’s case, it is for the advancement of his family reputation. While Lord Chesterfield acts like he is only in favor of his son, it is quite evident that he wants to control his son’s life to uphold his family name. Throughout the letter, Chesterfield constantly brings up the responsibilities his son has towards society. With every reminder of the obligations his son has, Chesterfield reveals his own values.
Talking of the Royal Family. London: Routledge, 1992. 173. Print. Blackmore, Simon Augustine.
As most parents would said, their goal in life is to one, be an influential person and two, make an impact on their child's life. They have already lived the life their children are going through and want them to have a better life than they did. To make an impact, they try to mold them(their children) into sharing the same beliefs and values that have made them who they are today. I found these same things to be true in reading Lord Chesterfield's letter to his son. Throughout this letter, Lord Chesterfield reveals his own personal values and struggles in order to pass it on to his son through the use of figurative language, irony, metaphors, parallel syntax and rhetorical questions.
Lord Chesterfield, in his letter, illustrates advice intended for his son about important life decisions while the boy is traveling overseas. Chesterfield employs a wise and protective tone to appeal to his son, all in hopes that he will regard his advice. By using constructive diction, contrasting opinions, and a passive tone. Chesterfield reveals his own values to his son through a loving atmosphere and accomplishes his goal in providing a guiding manual for his son to follow.
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The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume 1c. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2006. Print. The.
Thomas Jefferson, writes to his daughter Patsy, trying to give some advice to his daughter while he is away. Continually, Lord Chesterfield has written a letter to his son about advice Chesterfield wishes his son would follow, while his son is travelling away from home. Jefferson and Chesterfield's letters are comparable, and completely contrasted in the way they write to their children.
Lee, Sidney. "Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham (1478-1521)." Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1898. 446-7. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. .
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