Mark Twain was effectively able to use rhetorical devices such as tone and imagery in "Corn Pone Opinions" to inform the reader of his perspective on public opinion. The tone of the text is informative and insightful because Twain is aware that trends occur due to popular opinion. He provides examples of fashion trends, such as the hoop-skirt along with pointing out how people are only followers and not leaders. These instances occur in politics, religion and literature as Twain makes references to Shakespeare and various factions. Twain's informative tone contributes to his connection with self approval since he states that people throw away their own self opinion due to subjective and emotional circumstances.
Twain uses imagery to support his purpose along with utilizing anecdotes and examples as supporting evidence to emphasize his point. Twain's anecdote in the beginning of the text served to introduce his topic and included imagery to appeal to the reader's senses. He mentioned a time when he was younger and how he used to know a black slave who was a skilled orator. People would not acknowledge the slave, but Twain was heavily impacted when the slave stated, "You tell me whar a man gits his corn pone, en I'll tell you what his 'pinions is" (717). He presented Twain with the idea that people join the bandwagon in order to fit in with the rest of society.
One of the issues brought up in the essay is whether to side with the minority or majority when it comes to forming your own opinions. Twain states that corn pone opinions stand for self approval and argues that self approval is achieved through society’s approval. I agree with Twain as the inevitable result is conforming to others. Some people genuinely care about what others think about them and hold it in high regard. Twain's use of these rhetorical devices made it easier for readers to understand his viewpoint by putting them in his shoes. His examples helped to make the text lighthearted and make the reader more open to his opinion.
Twain uses imagery to support his purpose along with utilizing anecdotes and examples as supporting evidence to emphasize his point. Twain's anecdote in the beginning of the text served to introduce his topic and included imagery to appeal to the reader's senses. He mentioned a time when he was younger and how he used to know a black slave who was a skilled orator. People would not acknowledge the slave, but Twain was heavily impacted when the slave stated, "You tell me whar a man gits his corn pone, en I'll tell you what his 'pinions is" (717). He presented Twain with the idea that people join the bandwagon in order to fit in with the rest of society.
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