John Downe's Letter To His Wife Tone

John Downe, a weaver, writes a letter to his wife in 1830 recalling his journey to the United States from England. Downe’s purpose is to persuade his wife to emigrate herself and her children to the United States in order to join him. Downe adopts a joyous and pleading tone in his letter in order to convince his wife that his family will create a better life for themselves when they are no longer living in poverty.
Using an excited and exaggerated tone, Downe informs his wife about his wonderful factory job in order to put the thought of leaving England in her mind. For example, “I have got a situation in a Factory, in a very pleasant vale about 7 miles from Hudson, and I am to have the whole management of the factory and the master is going to board me till you come in his house”. Downe’s persuasive and excited tone allows his wife to see the advantages in joining her husband in a new place. …show more content…
Downe recounts a dinner at a farmer’s house and describes in vivid detail the foods that were provided. He states, “They had on the table pudding, pyes, and fruit of all kind that was in season, and preserves, pickles, vegetables, meat, and everything that a person could wish”. This connects to the idea that Downe wants to convince his wife that he no longer lives in poverty since he arrived to the new country. Downe continues to use the example of food as a foil In order to reinforce that his new life in the United States is much more rewarding than it was in his home country. He mentions, “I went into the market yesterday at New York, and on the outside of the market was bullocks’ and sheep and lambs’ heads”. Downe uses continuous repetition of this subject in hopes his wife will yearn for a change like he