Rhetorical Analysis Of John Downe's Letter To His Wife

In the 19th century, over 2 million English immigrants moved to America to secure a life of liberty and happiness. These American ideals were especially inspiring for English immigrants who were escaping the class system and poverty that was present in England. One of these English immigrants, John Downe, was a weaver who took a job in America so that he could make enough money for his wife and children to join him. In 1830, once Downe had acquired money and friends, he wrote a letter to his wife about his life in America. In his letter, Downe adopts a comforting and hopeful tone in order to appeal to his wife's desire of wanting a richer life. Downe's purpose is to convince his wife to emigrate herself and their kids to the United States and …show more content…
His prosperity in America is conveyed through his contented tone as he describes that he has been able to eat, “everything that a person could wish.” Downe writes this to his wife to appeal to her desire for a better life as it becomes clear that an abundance of food is a newfound luxury in America that they did not have in England. Downe does this to invoke excitement and comfort at the thought of her coming to America since she could be able to have the food and security that she has wanted. Downe uses a succession of details to appeal to her desire of a better life by writing that “they do not think of locking doors,” “you can gather...all kinds of fruit,” and “they will lend me the barrel till I have emptied it.” He goes further to say the myriad of amenities in America are cheap when he says, “I can have 100 lb. of Beef for 10s. English money” and “I can have a barrel of cider...for 4s.” In 19th-century England, where his wife is, butcher meat and fresh fruit were a luxury so Downe is appealing to her desire for happiness and a better life by invoking excitement since she can have these items in America, and for a small sum. Downe uses a simile to elaborate on the affluence of his new life when he states sheep and lambs’ heads lay “underfoot like dogs’ meat.” By illustrating his own life in America as plentiful and flourishing he attracts his wife to the idea of …show more content…
He uses a hopeful tone by describing the benefits and liberties present in America that one can have. Unlike early 19th century England, where the elite ruled, in America “no man thinks himself your superior.” In America, “the man which is really your superior” does not brag about that fact. Downe goes further to exaggerate that “poverty is unknown here.” Knowing that his wife is suffering from poverty and is in the bottom of the social hierarchy, this appeal to her desire for affluence is meant to invoke hope and excitement in the life she could have in America. By invoking hope and excitement about America, Downe is able to lure his wife to emigrate over to the United