Author: Samuel Smiles, Scottish, government reformer. Born in 1812, he was the second oldest of eleven children. His father died of cholera in 1832, but his mother ran a general store and was able to continue to support all of her children. Smiles had a deep admiration of his mother\u2019s work ethic, which influenced his work later in life.
\nContext: 1882, beginning of the second industrial revolution. He wrote about many of the same things Frederick W. Taylor, but about thirty years earlier.
\nLanguage: Fairly easy to read, he does not use very stilted language. The passage is also rather interesting, both content and the way it is presented, making it easier to read and understand.
\nAudience: Primarily working class, but also includes upper class and government officials. Smiles wrote primarily about the working class, and thus intended his writing to be read by the same.
\nIntent: To inspire the working class to strive to be better, and to improve themselves. Similar to Frederick W. Taylor, he wanted to eliminate soldiering and improve not only efficiency in industry, but society as a whole.
\nMessage: Individuals cannot be improved through government intervention alone. No law \u201ccan make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober.\u201d In order for society to truly progress, individuals need to improve themselves through self-help and the improvement of society will follow. This is similar to Adam Smith\u2019s idea that the industrialist\u2019s self interest will inevitably benefit the social interest; if all individuals strive to be better through self-improvement, society as a whole will progress and improve. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Author: Samuel Smiles, Scottish, government reformer. Born in 1812, he was the second oldest of eleven children. His father died of cholera in 1832, but his mother ran a general store and was able to continue to support all of … Continue reading