Analysis for "On the Want of Money" 10.21.2016

      In class, we read an excerpt from "On the Want of Money," an essay written by William Hazlitt in the nineteenth century. The author's position on money is that it is the root of all evil and misfortune. This can be related to in the real world because in reality, people tend to have arguments and separate due to money. I can also relate the author's position because in my own life, I am unable to get what I want because of the cost of the item. We have all most likely stopped to think about money before making a decision. The author supports his position that money steals away happiness through the use of rhetorical techniques, such as word choice and imagery. An example of word choice is the use of the word "falsehood" (31). By using this word, the author conveys his message that money leads to distrust of others since the word "falsehood" has a negative connotation of being untrue. Therefore, if one were "to be assailed on every side with...falsehood" (30-31), it means that the person with money is surrounded by people who put on a face just to deceive him/her. Another example of word choice is the use of the words "constant distress" (29). By using the word "constant," the author emphasizes the continuous stress caused by money, which shows that money only brings problems to a person. In addition to word choice, the author also uses imagery, which is shown when the author states "stand behind a counter, or to sit at a desk in some public office, or to marry your landlady" (16-18). This quote shows imagery because it creates an image of what would happen if one were to be rich. The image that appears from this description is an awful job that involves boring work. Using this imagery emphasizes that to earn money, one must sacrifice his or her happiness. By using imagery and word choice, the author effectively supports his position that money leads to misfortune.