The Verbally Ironic Letter To Lord Chesterfield '
LDanielle Eales
P:3 10/27/12
Mrs. Oberdank AP Lang
In the verbally ironic letter written by Lord Chesterfield to his son (1746), Chesterfield reveals his own values through guilt, tone shifts, and harsh diction. His values include application in education, obedience, and becoming superior amongst others. Throughout the entire letter, Chesterfield uses guilt through a variety of ways, in order to push his son to become successful and independent. He begins this, by “confessing” to his son that he has his doubts on whether his advice serves purpose at all. He tries relating to his child by stating,” I know how unwelcome advice generally is; I know that those who want it most, like it and follow it the least.” He also begins referring
himself as a “indulgent friend” rather than a strict fatherly figure, which is very ironic considering the fact that he practically dictates as a parent and commands his son to “at least weigh and consider” his advice well. Guilt appears once again when Chesterfield tells his son that if it wasn’t for him, he wouldn’t have a, “shilling in the world”, and continues on when discussing how much he values education. He recommends his son to apply himself and pay attention in all that he learns. He then states,” …everybody knows that uncommon care which has been taken of your education and opportunities you have had a lot more than others of your age,” which then causes tremendous feelings of guilt in his son, because it makes him feel as if he does not apply himself enough. Tone shifts are proven abundant in Chesterfield’s letter. For example, in line 1, “Dear Boy”, exemplifies a cold greeting from a father to his son, in which no affection was represented. The coldness continues on into the first paragraph when speaking about the advice his son should be taking from him and then flatters himself by basically insulting his son that he is “too young” to reason. Then shifting into a fatherly tone, he explains to his son that he only desires to “be the guide, not the censor,” which is rather ironic, because “guide” is just a carefully chosen euphemistic word, used to replace “censor.” Then continues the letter by, once again, showing no affection, “…as I have no womanish weakness for your person, your merit must, and will, be the only measure of my kindness,” illustrating that he values obedience, because he is convinced that his son will “act right, upon more noble and generous principles.” Through the use of harsh diction, Chesterfield reveals to his son the importance of striving for superiority amongst others. He begins this by stating, “…emulation of excelling others (though that is a very sensible pleasure and a very warrantable pride),” which tells his son that he needs to be precise and perfect in all that he does in school and in life, in order to be acceptable to not only to his father, but also his peers, by excelling them in all aspects and subjects. He ends the letter in a rather harsh manner, and leaves the closing statement as,” To know little of anything, gives neither satisfaction nor credit; but often brings disgrace and ridicule.” Chesterfield does this to convey that he has no womanish weakness, and if it wasn’t for his money, his son would basically be nothing. So, in order to make his father proud, he must not bring shame or ridicule upon himself. He must grasp every opportunity “out of affection and gratitude” towards his father. Overall, in Chesterfield letter to his son, he reveals his values through guilt, tone shifts, and harsh diction. His values include application in education, obedience, and becoming superior amongst others.
P:3 10/27/12
Mrs. Oberdank AP Lang
In the verbally ironic letter written by Lord Chesterfield to his son (1746), Chesterfield reveals his own values through guilt, tone shifts, and harsh diction. His values include application in education, obedience, and becoming superior amongst others. Throughout the entire letter, Chesterfield uses guilt through a variety of ways, in order to push his son to become successful and independent. He begins this, by “confessing” to his son that he has his doubts on whether his advice serves purpose at all. He tries relating to his child by stating,” I know how unwelcome advice generally is; I know that those who want it most, like it and follow it the least.” He also begins referring
himself as a “indulgent friend” rather than a strict fatherly figure, which is very ironic considering the fact that he practically dictates as a parent and commands his son to “at least weigh and consider” his advice well. Guilt appears once again when Chesterfield tells his son that if it wasn’t for him, he wouldn’t have a, “shilling in the world”, and continues on when discussing how much he values education. He recommends his son to apply himself and pay attention in all that he learns. He then states,” …everybody knows that uncommon care which has been taken of your education and opportunities you have had a lot more than others of your age,” which then causes tremendous feelings of guilt in his son, because it makes him feel as if he does not apply himself enough. Tone shifts are proven abundant in Chesterfield’s letter. For example, in line 1, “Dear Boy”, exemplifies a cold greeting from a father to his son, in which no affection was represented. The coldness continues on into the first paragraph when speaking about the advice his son should be taking from him and then flatters himself by basically insulting his son that he is “too young” to reason. Then shifting into a fatherly tone, he explains to his son that he only desires to “be the guide, not the censor,” which is rather ironic, because “guide” is just a carefully chosen euphemistic word, used to replace “censor.” Then continues the letter by, once again, showing no affection, “…as I have no womanish weakness for your person, your merit must, and will, be the only measure of my kindness,” illustrating that he values obedience, because he is convinced that his son will “act right, upon more noble and generous principles.” Through the use of harsh diction, Chesterfield reveals to his son the importance of striving for superiority amongst others. He begins this by stating, “…emulation of excelling others (though that is a very sensible pleasure and a very warrantable pride),” which tells his son that he needs to be precise and perfect in all that he does in school and in life, in order to be acceptable to not only to his father, but also his peers, by excelling them in all aspects and subjects. He ends the letter in a rather harsh manner, and leaves the closing statement as,” To know little of anything, gives neither satisfaction nor credit; but often brings disgrace and ridicule.” Chesterfield does this to convey that he has no womanish weakness, and if it wasn’t for his money, his son would basically be nothing. So, in order to make his father proud, he must not bring shame or ridicule upon himself. He must grasp every opportunity “out of affection and gratitude” towards his father. Overall, in Chesterfield letter to his son, he reveals his values through guilt, tone shifts, and harsh diction. His values include application in education, obedience, and becoming superior amongst others.