Sunday, August 17, 2014

Montaigne/Austen Essay

        This is a, "it feels like midnight, but it's not and i still have more homework to do " essay. I tried to answer the questions presented in the prompt but I already know all my thoughts aren't completely devolved and it is repetitive. I still will appreciated any input and I hope to revise and make this essay better soon.

Montaigne ventures to describe the life he has experienced with frankness and honesty. He has a single minded style that leads him in in thoughts and actions. He has a style similar to stream of consciousness; he gets caught up in the moment and subject that is causing him to deeply reflect on himself. Montaigne is open to the audience on his opinions concerning certain subjects and problems that riddle society. This is contrasting to both Wallace's and Austen's way of thinking and styles

             Unafraid of not being able to totally describe how he feels or what he is thinking, Montaigne goes for it. He thinks the fear of being unable to accomplish what he hopes to do is not big enough to hold him back. Though Wallace's opinion of being only able to sketch a situation may be true, Montaigne is able to show he is willing to try to explain his motives and ideas, even if the whole picture cannot be thoroughly seen. He sees there is a bigger benefit trying to write it, than not trying at all. Montaigne is not afraid to try to break down his thoughts and thinking for the reader to pick through. He wants the reader to see him analyzing what is going on in his head, why his is thinking the way he is and what is driving his to feel that. He has a willingness to explore his thoughts for the audience to reflect on for themselves.

            His style shows a willingness to be open with the author. Montaigne wants the author to read and want to know about him. It makes his thinking a very obvious whereas Austen's style one of more reservation and class is as she shares herself through her fictional book. Austen’s work has a large, eloquent vocabulary along with text full of smart remarks. Montaigne's writing is filled with ideas and deep though in reflection on his topics. Austen’s style might be better revealed if she was writing a book about herself, like Montaigne, but even if she was, the same elements that were in Pride and Prejudice would most likely also be in this new book.


Wallace’s statement regarding words’ inability to fully portray a situation is opposed by Montaigne. He ventures to contradict Wallace’s statement, hoping his views and thoughts can be grasped and learned from by the audience. Montaigne works to describe, as thoroughly as, possible what he is thinking and why. Montaigne’s openness and honestly allows the reader pick his brain which he has already laid out for them on paper; he tries to get them thinking about his thinking. He shows them the great variety of thought that is contained in only one mind. Montaigne’s thinking is different from Austen’s in that he has no limitations on what he shares but Austen has the ability only to share so much because it is not a book solely about her. Austen and Montaigne are able to share their thoughts through their books and the reader is about to understand each’s style.

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