Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
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In her letter to her daughter, Lady Mary Montagu discusses the education of her granddaugther. In such analysis, she conveys her strong views about the role knowledge played in the lives of women in her time. By using several rhetorical strategies such as cause-and-effect and process analysis and stylistic devises such as aphorism, assertions and didatic, Lady Montagu has written a letter that depicts the crisis not only faced by the gererations of her time but for gernerations to come.
Throughout the passage there are many instances where Lady Montagu uses rhetorical devices to convey her message. At one similar occurrence
she uses cause-and-effect strategy to convey her suggestion, “she does not mistake pert folly for wit and humor, or ryhme for poetry…and have a train of ill consequences…” and acutely states the effect her daughters action may have on her granddaughters perception of literature. Later on, through another recommendation, “…to conceal whatever learning she attains with solicitude…can only serve to draw on her the envy…” she once again conveys a similar point. Lady Montagu also uses process analysis to depict the significance of her granddaughters education. During her explanation of “…knowledge in our sex, besides the amusement of solitude…” she explains how knowledge plays an imperative role amongst women and what it precisely means for them. An additional example includes when she explains to her daughter, “Two hours application every morning will bring…” and again uses process of analysis to communicate her moral.
The use of stylistic devices also helped Lady Montagu develop her persuasive letter into a magnificent piece of writing. At many instances she uses assertions to convince her daughter of the importance of education such as in the statement, “…frame which men have engrossed to themselves, and will