Son Letter

The rhetorical strategies utilized by Lord Chesterfield contribute to the exposition of his parental values. The use of an extensive and elaborate syntax reveals the characteristics of any parental letter. Lord Chesterfield’s haughty values are portrayed with his approach to advice his son. Through the long and involved syntax the author is capable of communicating the importance of succeeding in life to his son. Chesterfield appeals to ethos in order to reveal the importance of his image. Chesterfield’s use of parallelism in the opening paragraph establishes a sense of understanding, when he repetitively states “I know” ahead of every statement. This communicates to his son that he understands how it feels to receive advice. The state of understanding reveals the fathers hypocritical values, although he does not want to intrude on his sons life he is inadvertently exclaiming that he better be successful. The complexity of the syntax essentially bores his son into finally listening to what he has to say. By appealing to ethos Chesterfield discloses the reason to why he wants his son to be successful. Of course he cares for the success of his son; however, having a successful family will make himself look good to other people. Once again Chesterfield exhibits his hypocritical and egotistical values to the readers of the letter. Rhetorical strategies aid Lord Chesterfield in disclosing his hypocritical and egotistical values. With the use of lengthy syntax and his appeal to ethos he indirectly communicates to his son that he better make him look like a good father. They reveal his haughty personality to the reader of the