Corn- Pone Opinion is an essay written by a well-known novelist- Mark Twain adressing the affects of public opinion to the human society. In this peice of writting, Mark Twain tries to convince his readers that much of the popular cultures and decisions made by human is based on the public opinions. To further develope on this principle, Mark Twain implemented the use of various rhetorical techniques. Twain introduces his argument with an anecdote, which allowed him to become more approachable and understandable to the readers. Twain begins with an story from himself as teenager, he mentioned a friend who constructed the main phrase of this essay, "corn pone opinion". Then, Twain continues to elaborate on this idea, mentioning his own views and provided some examples from his own experience on the issue. " A new thing in costume appears— the flaring hoopskirt, for example— and the passsers- by are shocked and the irreverent laugh. Six months later everybody is reconciled; the fashion has established itself;"(Twain, 718). The use of anecdote, allowed Twain to establish his main idea and provided actual examples on how the public opinion may affect the choice of the society and of individuals.
In addition to the use of anecdote, Twain also used logos. The use of logos helps to clarify and strengthen Twain's argument. " We are creaturs of outside influences; as a rule we do not think, we only imitate...We may continue to admire them, but we drope the use of them." (Twain, 219). This sentence establishes logos, which allowed the readers to clearly understand Twain's perspective and position on the issue of conformity in public opinion. Twain consider conformity as a natural characteristic of human, and showed reverence towards all that human has immitated by mentioning that it's admired althought no longer in use.
I do agree with Twain's beliefs that human are the creatures of immitation and of conformity. We tend to follow the action, fashion, culture and even habits of others. Whether it's out of admiration or being "forced" to follow the wills of the majority, many people does not stand a ground for themselves. However, there's also this other population of people, who brought changes to this society, changes to what it's considered popular culture, and eventually change the opinion of the public. Therefore, I do not totally agree with Twain's opinion on people always immitates the actions of one another. There's always those who caused the conformity of others and causes the change in what they immitate.
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