October 17, 2014

Essay




The Essay:

Essay is more easily distinguished by its manner than by its matter.

Manner:
A composition in prose which agree only in being comparatively short.

Matter:
An outline of any subject or handling only a branch of it.

Example:
Lamb's essays in English are the best examples.

Origin:
(Of the art form):
(Unintentional usage) The ancient essays are the 'Epistles' (which are in the form of letters) of Roman writers Cicero and Seneca which can be regarded as its origin.
(Intentional usage) It was used as a systematic art form by Montaigne, a French writer of the 16th century.
(Of the art name):
Montaigne's volume of 'Essais' employed the term for the first time. It means an 'attempt' (towards elucidation of the subject)

The Aphoristic essay:
Definition -Essays whose sentences are like aphorisms (a short remark which contains a general truth)
Origin -Bacon transplanted essay into England and took up writing of this kind.
Theme -objective or impersonal (except his 'Of Gardens')
Technique -short crisp sentences without a superfluous word.

The Character - Sketches:
Definition - Essays which present description of Characters.
Origin - In the early 17th century. By Hall, Overbury, Earle, all imitators of the Greek philosopher Theophrastus and the Roman Seneca.
Example - La Bruyere's 'Caracteres', writings of Sir Thomas Browne and Abraham Cowley
Theme - Pen-pictures of various types of men and women such as the Hypocrite, the Milk Maid, the Affectate Traveller, etc. (resembling personal essays of Montaigne)
Technique - Style of Baconian essay.

The Critical Essay:
Definition - Essay which criticises something.
Origin - During Restoration period by Dryden.
Examples - Dryden's 'Essay of Dramatic Poesy' and the Preface to his 'Fables'
Theme - Criticism
Technique - Style of Montaigne's essays.

The Periodical and Social essay:
Definition - Essays which appear in periodicals.
Origin - At the beginning of 18th century, probably Defoe's 'Review' but its masters are Richard Steele and Joseph Addison.
Theme -
1) Exposing manners of time
Examples -
-Richard Steele's 'Tatler' (exposing false arts of life)
1.1) Social purpose
Examples -
-Richard Steele's and Joseph Addison's 'Spectator' (intended to enliven morality)
-Dr. Johnson's 'Rambler' and 'Idler' (he lectures)
2) (also Character sketches
Examples -
- Fictitious character Sir Roger de Coverley, country gentleman of the time of Queen Anne
3) and literary criticism )

The Review:
Origin - Beginning of 19th century.
Theme - Criticism (politics, literature, religion, philosophy and things in general)
Definition - Essays in periodicals criticising Literary works or some other things not including social and personal topics.
Examples -

-'Edinburgh' (attacking Wordsworth) and the 'Quarterly' (maltreating Keats)

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