According to these definitions, class is a sub-set of identity; identity being the container for all different kinds of sameness, class being the sameness relating specifically to economic or social status. An argument that they are the same might state that since one’s economic/social status so completely limits or enables people in this society, that the overall identity of people is dictated by their class. It might further define the objective reality as the manifestation of a thing in light of its realistic limits and abilities. Take Robert for example. Who is Robert? What questions do we ask first? What is most important to us in forming our impression of him? In a multi-racial country like the United States, race might be one of the first. Physical appearances: hair color, weight, etc. We need a mental image. Once we know these things, certain assumptions are made. Many of these assumptions are silent, almost subconscious judgments based on superficial information. Robert is black. Oh. Where’s he from? Detroit. Oh. Lots of assumptions here. His class is practically defined for us through popular stereotypes without mention of his economic position. Guess what, he’s poor, lives in the projects with his single mother. Oh. So now, what do we know of Robert’s identity? Well, nothing really. But in reality, we can guess a whole lot of real life things that directly affect his identity, define it, limit it. He probably doesn’t do well in school. Not because he’s stupid, but because he has a bad attitude, and who could blame him: the school he attends performs random searches of students. There are metal detectors and armed guards at every entrance and exit. To him, school is literally like a prison. And what prison really encourages thought in its inmates? No, just get them through. There’s no money for thought. Perhaps Robert is in a gang. Sure, gang is a handy label, but he might have a group of friends, and many of them carry weapons. They have a local area in common and believe correctly that Detroit is a dangerous city.
Analysis of The Complete English Tradesman
Analysis of The Complete English Tradesman
Daniel Defoe’s “The Complete English Tradesman”, is a good example of his non-fiction writing. The content in the writing is thorough and well presented by Defoe. In the writing, Defoe explains what his opinions on what it means to be an English tradesman. Contrary to some experienced tradesmen, he believes that to be a good tradesman, one needs to acquaint himself with all business in general. According to Defoe, application is of more importance than diligence in business. “Without application nothing in this world goes forward as it should..” Tradesmen of Defoe’s day said that there needs to be an aggressive passion in how one handles business, and anger and temper sometimes are necessary. Defoe also challenges this. He believes a “complete tradesman” should not show the least return, signal of disgust, no passions or fire in his temper. A complete tradesman should be soft and smooth, showing little emotion. Basically, Defoe explains how to be by his definition a complete tradesman. “When a tradesman has thus conquered all his passion, and can stand before the storm of impertinence, he is said to be fitted up for the main article, namely, the inside of the counter.” The content of the writing is very comprehensive, covering many aspects of being a tradesman.
The content that has already been praised, is presented very well. Defoe organizes the information into letters to all tradesman of England. The writing is a collection of letters to English tradesman, each addressing a different issue. Defoe makes it clear that the information is based on opinion, so there are no false leads. For example, “It its the judgment of some experienced tradesman that no man ought to go form one business to another… I, myself will not enter that dispute here. I know some very encouraging…” Defoe also provides examples by making a story using a script format.
“Lady. No I can’t he’d use me.
Cit. How does your ladship know?
Lady. Why, I know….”
Defoe uses different techniques and ideas to present the content well in this piece.
In Daniel Defoe’s “The Complete Tradesman”, the description usage is adequate, but in a few cases it is a little too much. There is enough description to explain the whole situation, but it is not overdone to tire the reader.