In the past hundred years, subjects and styles of interest have adapted and modified themselves to fit the needs of modern times. In Mark Twain’s work, “Corn-Pone Opinions”, Twain details the changes and meanings involved in conforming to what is popular in everyday life, and how this is prevalent in our society. Although we may feel as if we are all entitled to our own opinions, Twain’s piece employs elements of imagery, techniques of diction, and a speculative, disapproving tone to persuade the reader that it is human nature to conform to what is standard in society. Throughout the work, the author appeals to the reader by utilizing several instances of imagery filled exaggerations, as well as logos, to display how our current lives arguably …show more content…
In the essay, Twain begins with an anecdote that is, unbeknownst to the reader, actually a metaphor for how we are a “Slave” to common beliefs, and explains to the audience that “we only imitate” the feelings and actions of others. This results in the “outside influences… pouring in upon us”, something that the author clearly feels is an insult to the progression of humanity as a whole. The connotation of all the above words make you feel as if public opinion is not necessarily a helpful part of our lives, but indeed an overwhelming burden that is giving to us. In addition, saying “we only imitate” others as makes it seem as if Twain is trying to be insulting to the audience because he is basically saying everything is fake if we can do nothing ourselves. Although it seems as if Twain is going to be praising public opinion in the beginning when he says how the slaves words were “deeply impressed upon me”, it is clear as he continues he is under the opinion that being under the influence of popular trends is not necessarily always a good thing. This is effective for him to establish his speculative tone, because although he says that it is almost unseen for an original opinion to be “coldly reasoned” from someone, he still technically describes it as possible, although a most “rare thing” that one may have an “independent verdict”. In turn, this leads me to believe he does not necessarily support an end to all self taught, only that he feels as if there is so much public opinion that people have corrupted society. Moreover, that anyone who was different was simply cast aside into the world of public opinions, either followed or