John Downe's Letter To His Wife Essay

Trevor Medina
English
Kim
Period 1
2-25-18
John Downe QW: Revisions
In 1830, John Downe wrote a letter to his wife, as he writes he portrays his life in the “New World”. Throughout his letter he works to persuade his wife to come to the “pleasant vale about seven miles from the Hudson”(2). In his 1830 letter to his wife, Downe first appeals to Ethos as he talks about his new job in a factory. As Downe writes on, he lists the abundance of cheap food available in America to try and persuade his wife to emigrate there. Lastly Downe’s addresses to his wife shows his love for his wife through his endearing words, and he goes on to talk about the lengths he would be willing to go to for their children.
John Downe’s letter clearly and precisely states his point about life in America and how he would love for his wife to share in his American Dream. Downe goes about this by

writing to his wife about his more stable and new management job he has gotten at a local factory. Downe talks about his “situation in a Factory” he writes about how the factory is in a”very pleasant vale about seven miles from the Hudson”(2). Downe’s use of diction suggests the surrounding area is nice, a perfect place for his wife and kids where they can live in a better environment.As where in England he portrays the environment as “disgusting equality”(54) where’s in America a “man which is your superior doesn’t plume himself on being so.”(55/56). Through his portrayal of his job we see that he is a factory manager when he writes “ I am to have the whole management of the factory”(⅔). John Downe’s position in the factory will provide more stability for his wife and children, thus encouraging her to come to America with their children.
Downe’s portrayal of the cheap and abundant food serves as a reminder and influence to his wife.

In England poverty and starvation were the norm; and Downe uses the societal flaw to his full advantage as an influence to his wife’s final decision on whether to emigrate. He lists the multitude of benefits provided by the abundant food in the thriving country starting with “ ...they had on table pudding, pyes, and fruit of all kind that was in season, and preservatives, pickles, vegetables, meat..”([Bush Did] 9/11). By illustrating the foods in a delectable and plentiful manner Downe works his wife’s appetite for fresh and delicious food. As Downe continues he talks about the “peaches, apples, and all kinds of fruit [to be gathered] at the side of the roads”(15/16). John Downe depicts the plentiful fruit being left on the road in such a way that it comes off as a luxury for the wife and kids, all they need to do is gather it. Throughout John Downe’s letter to his wife he portrays food as cheap and abundant, which influences his wife as a way to remind her of the common starvation of the English

people.
Lastly through Downe’s letter he addresses his wife with such endearing terms and goes on to talk about the lengths he would be willing to go to for their children. Throughout his letter John Downe always seems to address his wife as “My dear Sukey”(36) or “My dear wife”. He does this not just as a reminder of his love for her, but her love for him. Why would she want to separate that? He then goes on to write about his kids and how he would “rather cross the Atlantic ten times then to hear them cry for victuals once.”(43/45). Even though this is an overstatement he seems to get his point across that in America she wouldn’t have a problem with the food (as I pointed out earlier) she wouldn’t have to endure her children crying infront of her for the food no one can provide,a heart-retching sight.