Esteemed writer, Mark Twain, in his essay Corn Pone Opinions addresses that people often do not make their own conclusions instead they follow the majority. Twain's purpose is to inform his audience that their opinions derive from what the majority of society believes.
Twain uses irony and an allusion as rhetorical devices to further expand his purpose. In paragraph 11 line 5 "Morals, religions, politics, get their following from surrounding influences and atmospheres, almost entirely; not from study, not from thinking." Twain suggests that people choose important things such as political views based on the society around them. One would expect humans to use their brain for its actual purpose, instead people conform to society and rely on just that verdict. This expands on Twain's purpose that a person's own perception doesn't derive from their own thoughts but from the beliefs of society. In the beginning of the essay Twain uses the allusion of hoop skirts in paragraph 10 " One woman abandons the fashion; her neighbor notices this and follows her lead; this influences the next woman...the skirt has vanished out of the world , no one knows how nor why, nor cares, for that matter." Using a topic that everyone can relate to furthers Twain's purpose. The reference to this trend relates to how people's opinions on their clothes aren't theirs but are of society. No one relies on their own opinions or questions why. If society agrees to an idea, to an average person it must be right.
Corn Pone Opinions is still relevant to this day. The analysis on human nature is overall accurate. In paragraph 13 line 9 "the one which can't bear to be outside the pale;cant bear to be in disfavor; can't endure the averted face and the cold shoulder; wants to stand well with his friends..." It is common for someone to alter their opinions in order to be accepted by others. Even if it means giving a piece of ourselves away it is okay because now were accepted by society. This applies to people's opinions on politics, religion, fashion and so much more. A common example is a person choosing a political party based on their parents opinions. Most people never choose to educate themselves on other parties.
