Analysis of The Complete English Tradesman :: Complete English Tradesman Essays

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 tradesma n. "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.