Write a note on Richard Steele's prose style.

Write a note on Richard Steele’s prose style.

Ans.

1. Introduction

Richard Steele is one of the greatest periodical essayists. In fact, he was a pioneer in the field of the genuine periodical essay. Through The Tatler he created and popularized this new variety of the essay. Through The Spectator Steele and Addison brought this new form to a higher stage of perfection.

2. Steele’s style as compared to Addison’s Style

In the matter of style Addison is regarded as a more finished writer than Steele. The form which Steele had developed was well adopted by Addison. It brought out the best in him. The want of force in him is considered a merit in his case because his aim was to satirize the minor follies and vanities of his day. Steele’s style is not so unblemished as Addison’s It often lacks in clarity and precision. It is also less polished. But in variety and force as well as in emotional appeal to the com mon reader Steele is certainly the greater genius.

Of course, it is to be admitted that style is the man himself. We are told that even in the days when he was carrying on with The tatler all alone, he sometimes forget his business in revels with his friends which lasted till well after midnight. And in the morning he filled the pages of his paper with odds and ends. Such incidents point to the generosity of his nature. Thackeray has also pointed out the great service done by Steele in his reverence for the pieties of the home, his respect for women, and his love of children. Here he is considered a better moralist than Addison.

3. His style is autobiographical

Apart from their moral qualities, there is an open frankness in Steele’s papers. He is habitually autobiographical, even though he does not profess to be so. Though he does not often tell us the facts of his life, he constantly reveals the feelings of his heart. His good ness, his charity, his large heartedness peep through his pages.

4. A clear and simple style

Steele is not known for great eloquence. He was a journalist, he had to address himself to the common reader. Therefore he had to speak in their own language and idiom. Clearness and simplicity were the need of the hour, though sometimes his style does reflect his capacity to take flight of the imagination.

5. Some Examples of his loose writing

At times Steele’s sentences become vague and even appear muddled to the common reader. Sometimes the construction of his sentences is very loose. Here are some examples-

1. “But when we turn our thoughts from the great parts of life on such occasions, and instead of lamenting those who stood ready to give death to those from whom they had the fortune to receive it……” It is not clear what the pronoun ‘it’ at the end of this quotation stands for (from “Recollection of Childhood”.)

2. “A strict honesty, and an even regular behaviour, are in themselves obstacles to him that must press through crowds, who endeavour at the same end with himself, the favour of a commander.” (from “The Spectator Club”) Here the phrase the favour of a commander’s should have been preceded by the words to gain.”

6. Steele’s Good Humour

But such blemishes and blunders of his style are counterbalanced by numerous instances which reflect the writer’s good nature and his good humour. Such passages endear the writer to his readers. There is usually a sense of intimacy between Steele and his readers, which is a sure sign of a genuine essayist.