At the surface. the missive Lord Chesterfield writes to his boy appears to merely offer his boy simple sound advice with the purpose to assist his boy. It seems that he is seeking to give his boy this advice in a friendly mode as opposed to a male parent giving his boy advice. However. upon closer analysis of what Chesterfield writes. one can see how he is really subtly reminding his boy of his duties and responsibilities. Using schemes such as understatements. enunciation. and rhetorical inquiries. Chesterfield subtly leaves reminders to his boy that shows what Chesterfield holds every bit high values: obeisance and repute.
In the beginning of the first paragraph. it seems that Chesterfield is dissing himself while congratulating his boy. In lines five to seven he acknowledges the common belief that parental advice is merely merely the “moroseness. the domineeringness. or the garrulousness of old age” . This creates a tone of harmlessness and sarcasm in the paragraph. leting Chesterfield to utilize understatements with consequence subsequently in the missive. In lines eight to twelve. . he goes on to seemingly compliment his boy. composing that despite how immature he ( he being his boy ) is. Chesterfield knows his boy can acknowledge good advice from bad advice. In lines twelve to seventeen. utilizing a similar construction to lines eight to twelve. Chesterfield writes that he is flattered “that your ain ground. immature as it is. must state you. that I can hold no involvement but yours in the advice that I give you ; and accordingly. you will at least weigh and see it well” . Using parallel construction here. Chesterfield is truly stating that his boy should cognize his male parent gives the best advice. and that his boy better utilize his advice.
Subsequently in the first paragraph. still utilizing understatements. Chesterfield goes on to indirectly endanger his boy to follow his advice – and enhances his menaces with the usage of enunciation. In lines 25 to thirty. . Chesterfield writes “I do non. hence. so much as intimation to you. how perfectly dependent you are upon me…” Chesterfield is clearly indicating out his son’s dependance on him. and is endangering to cut him off financially if he does non follow his advice. for his male parent has no “womanish weakness” and has no jobs making so. He writes that his son’s “merit must. and will. be the lone step of my kindness” intending the more merit his boy has. the more generous he will be. He goes on to compose that“for the interest of making right” his boy must be “noble” and “generous” . These lines show how Chesterfield values obeisance and his pick of words – such as baronial and generous – besides represent qualities a individual with a good repute has. Chesterfield subsequently on describes what may go on to his boy should be disobey. utilizing words such as “disgrace” . “ridicule” . “shame” . and “regret” – words that describe a individual with a bad repute.
In the 2nd paragraph. Chesterfield eventually reveals his true intent in lines 35 to thirty six and he uses rhetorical inquiries to heighten his concluding for it. Chesterfield writes that he has “often recommended to you attending and application to whatever you learn. ” intending he wants his boy to seek his best in whatever he does. In lines 39 to 42 Chesterfield writes “for can at that place be greater pleasance than to be universally allowed to stand out in one’s ain age and mode of life? . This rhetorical inquiry serves to do the advice Chesterfield gave to his boy to look to be a necessity to his life. His 2nd rhetorical inquiry serves to indicate out how many chances his boy has been given for success. Chesterfield is fundamentally stating his boy that he better non blow the chances he has had.
Using a sarcastic apprehension tone in the beginning. Chesterfield seems to be seeking to offer his boy simple advice when in world he is subtly endangering his boy to follow orders. He explains the destiny of his boy should he disobey and blow the chances given to him. thereby besides demoing the values Chesterfield holds beloved to himself. He embellishes his menaces with rhetorical inquiries as if to do the pick to his boy more obvious. besides demoing Chesterfield’s ethical motives more clearly. Through his elusive schemes. Chesterfield non merely gets his point across to his boy in an effectual mode but shows what he values.
