Letter To His Son Chesterfield
The ultimate goal of most parents is to see that their child succeeds in life. While this may be the sole for most, fathers also expect more from their children, as is evident in author Lord Chesterfield’s letter to his son traveling far from home. The strategies used by Chesterfield not only display his desired intentions for his son, but, also, the rhetorical strategies implemented in the letter reveal the values Chesterfield holds as true. In order to persuade his son that the knowledge he holds is pertinent, Chesterfield first disbands the notion that parents only give advice to induce suffering in the child, then ties the ability, and pride of himself to the success of his son and finally suggests that to knowledge held by his son is
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Chesterfield begins this process of degrading his son by proposing that his son must be mortified for all the help he has received in order to succeed. Chesterfield writes, “your shame and regret must be greater than anybody’s because everybody knows the uncommon care which has been taken of your education, and the opportunities you have had…” (43-45). Chesterfield is clearly suggesting that his son should feel unaccomplished because his achievements were not completed on his own. Chesterfield further reduces the pride of his son by stating, “to know little of anything, give neither satisfaction nor credit, but often brings disgrace and ridicule” (53-55). Chesterfield is implying that his son does not know enough and he does not want his son to simply do well, but know everything in order to avoid disgrace. Chesterfield also demands that no only should his son know more than most, “but… excel in the thing itself” (51). The final goal of these assertions is to utilize the rhetorical strategy of diminishing pride in order to drive his son to meet higher expectations. Such a strategy reveals that Chesterfield, himself, believes that a man or woman must prove himself or herself as great, without help, and that greatness comes only through deep understanding. This rhetorical device, along with others, provides the force necessary to motivate Chesterfield’s son to meet his father’s
Chesterfield begins this process of degrading his son by proposing that his son must be mortified for all the help he has received in order to succeed. Chesterfield writes, “your shame and regret must be greater than anybody’s because everybody knows the uncommon care which has been taken of your education, and the opportunities you have had…” (43-45). Chesterfield is clearly suggesting that his son should feel unaccomplished because his achievements were not completed on his own. Chesterfield further reduces the pride of his son by stating, “to know little of anything, give neither satisfaction nor credit, but often brings disgrace and ridicule” (53-55). Chesterfield is implying that his son does not know enough and he does not want his son to simply do well, but know everything in order to avoid disgrace. Chesterfield also demands that no only should his son know more than most, “but… excel in the thing itself” (51). The final goal of these assertions is to utilize the rhetorical strategy of diminishing pride in order to drive his son to meet higher expectations. Such a strategy reveals that Chesterfield, himself, believes that a man or woman must prove himself or herself as great, without help, and that greatness comes only through deep understanding. This rhetorical device, along with others, provides the force necessary to motivate Chesterfield’s son to meet his father’s