Lord Chesterfield Analysis

Lord Chesterfield advises his teenage son, who was traveling far from home, to take his meaningful recommendations and values, and put them to use. Chesterfield states that he has his son’s best interest at heart. He wishes his son to apply his teachings although Chesterfield feels it may be pointless. Although the father’s purpose is to guide his son, he is doing so in a condescending manner. He uses repetition, sarcasm, and contradiction to show his values of success and being the leader of the pack. Chesterfield reveals his own values on life and how he feels about his son. He utilizes repetition in order to assure he is advising as an indulgent friend. “Do not think that I mean to dictate…as a friend and an indulgent one too,” Chesterfield wishes to clear his son’s eyes and shine a new light. Also repetition is used to emphasize and input effect on his advice, “ I know that those who … and I know that the advice parents… of old age.” Chesterfield mentions his son’s high level of education, the opportunity that not many have. His son must take advantage of the opportunity and excel in life, but instead wastes it. He unravels his values throughout the letter in rhetorical questions which include: that there is no greater pleasure
than to be the top of the pack, and there is nothing far worse than to have people triumph over you. Chesterfield’s son is dependent on him,”…dependant you are upon me… shilling in the world but from me.” Chesterfields’ sarcasm is conveyed as friendly; however, the latent meaning is judgmental.
Chesterfield wants his son to do well, please him, and then he will pay for his needs. His letters are a way to persuade his son to do the noble and right things. He wishes his son to learn, pay attention, and apply Chesterfield’s values in life. The writer uses alliteration to stress his values, “attention and application.” Chesterfield expects his son to pursue a greater pleasure in life, to emulate his father. Chesterfield wants his son to learn from his father’s mistakes, “let my experience supply you want of it, and clear your
way.” Chesterfield’s diction is contradictory. He assures to use the words, “so much as hint at,” even though he is bluntly expressing his thoughts. The writer hints his tone and mood though the excerpt through latent content, he writes as though he is a friend although truly writing as a parent. The writer knows his son chooses not to follow his parental advice. The writer notes that his only interest is his sons, his advice is for his sake not only his sons, he desires for his son to be like him.