Write the summary of the essay entitled "The Art Of The Essayist".

Write the summary of the essay entitled “The Art Of The Essayist”.

Ans.

Introduction

The writer compares himself to that shopkeeper who paints his signboard of the shop himself without the help of any expert painter. He says that it shows the real mystery of the art of essay-writing. He can write his essay on any subject of his choice by expressing his own ideas. The subject of the essay may be of his interest and he colours it with the power of his imagination to make his essay delightful and impressive. The success of the essay depends on the personality of the writer, not on the subject-matter. The writer should know well the thought of the essay and express sit with zeal. The essay in short, may be called the frame work of the mind of the writer.

The example of Montaigne

The writer gives the example of Montaigne who is regarded as the first essayist. He had received his inspiration from Cicero. He had the charm of his personality, the quality of frankness, close observation and a good knowledge of men and manners. He did not use anything in his essays which interested him. The writer calls it the real virtue of a great essayist.

The need of true temperament

It is necessary to mention that English temperament is completely opposite to the idea of the essayist because the Englishman is prudent and mysterious by his nature but the essayist must be frank in his expression to his readers. He lives in his own castle where nobody is welcome but his house is always open for inspection of all the common people. The true essayist is like Lord Brougham who had kept his house open to be seen by all his visitors. He must not hide anything from the people and he should express everything clearly and effectively.

The example of some other essayists

It should be noted that the essay had taken different forms in England. Sir Thomas Browne had written his essays in rhetorical style. Joseph Addison had written his essays with correct scenes making fine associations, Charles Lamb had written romantic essays related to the beauty and dignity of common life. De Quincey had written his essays in an autobiographical style with musical effect. Walter Pater had written his essays to express the artistic feeling out-and-out. All these writers had written their essays in an impressive style in English literature. A true essay contains personal feeling, impressions with beautiful scenes and in an interesting style.

A true essay is like a lyric prose

It should be noted that a true essay is like a lyric prose. The lyric which is written in verse lacks the freedom of prose in the real manner. It should be noted that the personal element is common both to the essay as well as to the lyric. The difference between them is of the humour while the lyric is noted for its seriousness.

The essayist is an observer of life

It is necessary to mention that the essayist is an observer of life. He does not take any interest in action and the conduct of life. He makes his friendship with his readers and he writes about their daily problems saying in the words of a common reader, “Well, I have often thought of it but never put it in words like this.” The writer does not hide human weaknesses but he shows his sympathy to them in order to make them interested in life. He does not try to give any moral teaching to his readers.

The essayist is totally different from the romancer

It is very necessary to mention that the essayist is totally different from the romancer. He remembers his material along with the real condition of life and he does not avoid it in any way. He keeps a balance between the sublime and the lighter aspect of human life. In this way he may be called as an interpreter of human life, so he does not look at life like a historian but he looks at life with its true beauty and real significance. He hopes that his readers will love their life more and more.