Persuasion

Prepare to have your pants bored off.

I'm going to say that I agree with the idea that language is innately a means of persuasion. Although, it does sound strange to say it like that, don't you think?
It makes it sound like human beings are indeed selfish and manipulative creatures. Be like me! Think like me! My way is the best way! I keep trying to think of an example of language that ISN'T persuasion, though...and I just can't do it. Maybe I just don't want it to be true because the word 'persuasion' just has this negative aura floating around it in my mind... Of course, you can always be persuasive in a positive way.
In spite of this, i think it's an incredibly interesting way to think about language!

During the lecture I just couldn't stop thinking about this section from Pride and Prejudice. I know that Mr. Darcy isn't specificly arguing for the thesis proposed in class today, but I do think it fits in really nicely. Sorry if this is kind of long...If you've read the book you probably remember the scene. If not, I'll just summarize what's been happening. The party has been sitting around entertainging themselves in various ways. Mr. Darcy is writing a letter. Miss Bingley, who has the hots for him, basically tries to flirt with him by telling him how well he writes letters. He brushes her off. Then there is a conversation between Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Elizabeth about how a person OUGHT to write a letter and how Mr. Bingley himself writes one. I'll just insert stage-directionesque names to indicate who's talking because it can be confusing sometimes:
Mr. Bingley: "My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them; by which means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents."
"Your humility, Mr. Bingley," said Elizabeth, "must disarm reproof."
"Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes, an indirect boast."
Bingley: "And which of the two do you call my little recent piece of modesty?"
"The indirect boast; for you are really proud of your defects in writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of thought and carelessness of execution, which, if not estimable, you think at least highly interesting."

I just always thought that was so funny...and true. Bingley, in his conversation, tries to persuade his audience that he's interesting. In a very humble, subconcious way, I think, but persuade he does nonetheless. He does succeed. (With everyone except Darcy, of course.)

I think everyone does the same thing Mr. Bingley just did every day. With everything they do. With varying degrees of success, subtelty, awareness, consequence, and importance.

Right now, it's pretty obvious that I'm trying to persuade someone...anyone...that my opinion is correct.

Yesterday, my boyfriend was talking to his friend...the way so many guys do...in a neverending stream of movie quotes. I believe, subconciously, they were both trying to persuade anyone listening that they were:
1) funny
2) people with great recall abilities
3) cool and perhaps non-conformists, because the subject material being quoted was slightly non-mainstream
4) great friends
They succeeded only in making me believe they were both unoriginal weirdos who hang out with eachother all the time.

I don't usually put on makeup in the morning, persuading people to believe that I am a late riser. I don't think this is a great thing to be, but like Bingley, I do find it to be an interesting personality quirk, and perhaps a conversation starter. I.e. 'Boy oh boy, I sure am tired! Wish we didn't have to be in class today. Share with me, fellow classmate, your similar story of how you too did not enjoy waking up this morning!'

I chose black for the background color of this blog because it reflects my dark and miserable soul in order to persuade everyone that I am different and no one can understand me! lol jay kay.