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What Are The Rhetorical Strategies Used In Lord Chesterfield Letter To His Son

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Parents concern themselves with their children’s future and often express their expectations. In the Harry Potter Series, James and Lilly Potter, Harry’s parents, sacrificed themselves so Harry could survive and prosper. Lord Chesterfield is not similar and would rather his son work hard and sacrifice for his honor, revealing Chesterfield’s values. In Lord Chesterfield’s letter to his son, he utilizes rhetorical strategies that reveal that he values merit, and loyalty. Lord Chesterfield employs advanced syntax throughout his letter, which implies that he values success through scholarship. In lines 29-30, Chesterfield divulges that, “your merit must, and will, be the only measure of my kindness.” Chesterfield constructs the sentence with …show more content…

In lines 37-40, Chesterfield explains, “I point them out to you as conducive, nay, absolutely necessary to your pleasures; for there be a greater pleasure than to be universally allowed to excel those of one’s own age and manner of life?” The author asks a rhetorical question and as a result, forces the son to ponder upon the statements. The contemplating forces the son to think about the “greater pleasures” and Chesterfield uses the pleasure as bribes. Chesterfield reveals that he will do what he must to make his son assail all others. Chesterfield also utilizes pathos in lines 43-45, when he states, “your shame and regret must be greater than anybody’s because everybody knows the uncommon care which has been taken of your education.” The ironic tone conveyed in the quote forces the son to be irked with the thought of wasting money; therefore, the son will be dedicated to pleasing Chesterfield. By continuously reminding his son, that his education is gratuitous, Chesterfield affirms the importance of his son’s dedication to scholarship. The use of pathos and the emphasizing of the son’s advantages reveal that Chesterfield values dedication to surpassing peers. Through the construction of pathos, it can be concluded that Chesterfield values dedication in being superior to

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Lord Chesterfield's Letter Analysis Lord Chesterfield in his letter to his son uses a variety of rhetorical devices such as repetition, similes, logos, pathos, and ethos to explain his feelings. Chesterfield in his letter gives a series of examples by which we, as the reader can understand his strong values. The description of the rhetorical devices gives us a better understanding of what Lord Chesterfield is trying to convey. Lord Chesterfield uses a variety of strategies such as repetition and similies. He keep on writing “I”.

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