The ultimate goal of most parents is to see that their child succeeds in life. While this may be the sole for most, fathers also expect more from their children, as is evident in author Lord Chesterfield’s letter to his son traveling far from home. The strategies used by Chesterfield not only display his desired intentions for his son, but, also, the rhetorical strategies implemented in the letter reveal the values Chesterfield holds as true.
In order to persuade his son that the knowledge he holds is pertinent, Chesterfield first disbands the notion that parents only give advice to induce suffering in the child, then ties the ability, and pride of himself to the success of his son and finally suggests that to knowledge held by his son is not truly his and that his son must focus his abilities on a specific subject. These arguments, in turn, reveal Chesterfield’s own beliefs that he knows more than his children, that his children must prove themselves to him, and that a person must expand on their own.
Each concept is quite evident throughout Chesterfield’s letter. The first rhetorical strategies employed by Chesterfield is his letter to his son is that, as a parent, the advice given is to help, not hinder or oppress, his children. In order to overcome the argument that parents advise for personal gain, Chesterfield acknowledges such claims with, “I know that the advice of parents… is ascribed to the moroseness, the imperiousness, or the gavality of old age” (5-8). Such an acknowledgement causes his son to realize that his father understands resentment to advice.
In order to counter such an idea, Chesterfield suggests that he, “can have no interests but [his son’s]… [and] to not think that [he] means to dictate as a parent; [but] only mean to advise as a friend” (13-14, 17-18). Chesterfield wishes to make his son believe that he wants nothing more than for his son to do well, and that all guidance is not meant to be approached as a parent trying to dominate their child, but a friend leading another friend through difficult times. As a result, Chesterfield’s on may be more willing to follow his father’s words, and treat his advice with less hostility.
By enacting such a rhetorical strategy into his letter, Chesterfield also reveals his personal belief that, as a parent, he wishes well for his children, and that he knows what is best for them. While this strategy of renouncing the notion that parents only advise to dominate helps to ties that author to his son, Chesterfield continued to force his son to believe that his son proves who he is as a father. The second rhetorical strategy of Lord Chesterfield is to make his son believe that he owes something to his father, and that his achievements are tied to the pride of his father.
In order to create such an idea, Chesterfield writes, “I do not hint to you, how absolutely dependent you are upon me; that you neither have, nor can have a shilling in the world but form me” (25-28). Such a quote has two distinct possible effects on the reader. First is that, by suggesting that he did not want his son to be aware of the boy’s dependency with “I do not hint to you… ” the reader would develop a sense of humility toward Chesterfield as he did not want anyone to be aware of such an apparent flaw in his child.
Second because Chesterfield describes his son’s accomplishments as owed to him, his son will develop the idea that he must do all he can to make up for the abilities granted by his father. In addition, chesterfield writes “I am connected that you will act right… for the sake of doing right and out of affection and grateful to me” to further force his son to feel guilty if he does not succeed, as it will shame his father (asdjflaweoifjwefa). Again, Chesterfield’s own beliefs are presented through his work as they demonstrated his belief that his children must somehow make up for all he has done for them.
Though this strategy of using guilt to force his son helps Chesterfield express his desires, Chesterfield enables one last strategy to win his son’s support. The Final rhetorical device incorporated into the letter is to shame his son for the ill-advised path he is currently following. Chesterfield begins this process of degrading his son by proposing that his son must be mortified for all the help he has received in order to succeed. Chesterfield writes, “your shame and regret must be greater than anybody’s because everybody knows the uncommon care which has been taken of your education, and the opportunities you have had… (43-45).
Chesterfield is clearly suggesting that his son should feel unaccomplished because his achievements were not completed on his own. Chesterfield further reduces the pride of his son by stating, “to know little of anything, give neither satisfaction nor credit, but often brings disgrace and ridicule” (53-55). Chesterfield is implying that his son does not know enough and he does not want his son to simply do well, but know everything in order to avoid disgrace.
Chesterfield also demands that no only should his son know more than most, “but… xcel in the thing itself” (51). The final goal of these assertions is to utilize the rhetorical strategy of diminishing pride in order to drive his son to meet higher expectations. Such a strategy reveals that Chesterfield, himself, believes that a man or woman must prove himself or herself as great, without help, and that greatness comes only through deep understanding. This rhetorical device, along with others, provides the force necessary to motivate Chesterfield’s son to meet his father’s expectations.
Chesterfield employs the rhetorical strategies of countering an objection, creating guilt, and insulting, along with a few others, to motivate his son to meet the high demands that he has for his son. Also apparent in the use of these strategies are Chesterfield’s own beliefs that he knows what is best, has children will forever owe themselves to him, and that in order to have pride one must become great independently. Whether Chesterfield’s son met such expectation remains unknowns, but Chesterfield’s own values will forever remain exposed by his work.