Samuel Johnson's Response Letter

734 Words3 Pages
Samuel Johnson, in his responding letter to a woman who had written to him, denies the woman’s request to recommend her son be sent to the University. Chronologically, Johnson explains why he cannot recommend the woman’s son for the University through multiple stylistic devices such as alliteration, metaphors, and harsh and biting diction. Johnson adopts a serious and stern tone in order to portray his message to the woman. To open his letter, Johnson begins by bluntly explaining that he will not recommend her son for the University. He beings the letter by using a metaphor, telling the woman that hope is “the chief happiness which this world affords,” but continues on to say that too much hope can result in pain. Here, Johnson is beginning…show more content…
Johnson explains to the woman “I know, Madam, how unwillingly, conviction is admitted, when interest opposes it; but surely, Madam, you must allow, that there is no reason why that should be done by me, which every other man may do with equal reason, and which, indeed, no man can do properly, without some very particular relation both to the Archbishop and to you.” In this sentence, Johnson greatly utilizes punctuation in order to make the woman realize his point of view; the commas and semicolon Johnson uses makes the woman slow down when reading, and allow her to better process and understand his reasoning, hopefully relating to his thinking. Johnson continues in his explanation by stating the risk it would be for him to write it, telling the woman that he believes “you do not wish me to undergo.” As Johnson presumes what the woman is feeling, even if she does not feel this way, the mentioning of it causes her to consider these feelings and relate to Johnson’s point of view. Johnson attempts to persuade the woman’s thinking into a more positive manner while stating his reasoning as to why her request will not be fulfilled; his use of punctuation and presumptuous language allows him to better do
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    Samuel Johnson is able to craft his denial request to a woman who had asked him to obtain the archbishop of Canterbury’s patronage to have her son sent to the university. In his response letter, Johnson uses a subtle shift in tone, logos, and point of view to deny her request. These devices successfully construct an argument in his letter of response allowing him to remain amiable about his refusal. Johnson begins his letter by introducing his refusal with an apology for he was pondering the different

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