They
are two different writers with two different styles that share one goal. This
applies directly to Michel de Montaigne’s
Essays and Jane Austen’s Pride and
Prejudice. Montaigne attempted to explore his thoughts, life, and learning
in these essays while tending specifically to the treatment of issues, events
and concerns from the past, present life of the sixteenth century, and future. Jane
Austen’s primary focus in Pride and
Prejudice provides insight into humanity, as well, but with a different
writing style. While Montaigne’s Essays provide strong themes, they are
unnaturally complex and difficult to follow, whereas Austen provides a unique
and fresh style with a clear plot to portray the theme. The two classics couldn't be more opposite with the exception of their similar theme and purpose in their
novels.
Montaigne and Austen’s styles, I
believe, I more different than similar. Montaigne used his Essays to cover a
wide variety of topics. He wrote anything and everything from liars to clothing
to doctors to people to friendships, and tons of other unrelated topics vesting
a good one hundred and seven chapters long. Not to mention, within the individual
essays there are sentences that Montaigne added into paragraphs years later
that is thought to contribute to this chaos of words. This caused for an
unorganized and confusing novel through his use of stream of consciousness.
Although his work lacked in organization, the didactic nature of his work,
philosophical reflections, crafted rhetoric, and references to Ancient Greek,
Latin, and Italian quotes gave authority and respect to his work. Jane Austen’s
style in Pride and Prejudice offered
a clear sense of direction due to her organization and structure throughout her
novel. Austen’s clear style was exercised in her organization of chapters which
differed in Montaigne’s works that had no relationship between his chapters.
Her work was structured with a plot consisting of the orderly setting, climax,
resolution, etc. which made it an easier read despite the old English dialogue.
In contrast, Montaigne and Austen different greatly as the essays provided for
a nonchalant style and use of stream of consciousness while Austen’s novel was
more developed and structured.
While Montaigne and Austen differ in
style, they are harmonious in their attempts to analyze and provide insight and
explore the psychology of humanity. Both authors seem to express their
dedication in trying to fathom the intrinsic complexities of life and human mentality.
Through Montaigne’s literary technique of self-reflection and Austen’s use of
characters, they both explore questions of human nature bringing them closer to
understanding humanity. Pride and
Prejudice uses self-expression in as Austen expresses her feelings through
the novel’s main characters like Elizabeth while Montaigne expresses his
feelings directly in his essays. Immortality and flaws are uncovered to help
fully understand humanity and all its features by Montaigne’s criticism towards
tyrannical kings and even Austen’s use of Elizabeth’s hatred of Mr. Collins and
quick judgment towards Mr. Darcy. In comparison, Montaigne and Jane Austen
share their reflections through their own voiced styles for the goal of
understanding the intrinsic complexities of human nature.
Jane Austen and Michel de Montaigne
provide contrasting styles, yet share the goal in perceiving their own
individual societies of which they live in to its core. Both authors take their
individual communities and create a bigger concept of life and evaluation of
humanity. Montaigne’s nonfiction essays develop this theme through his use of
stream of consciousness and allusions. Austen’s Pride and Prejudice differs in her structured, organized style of
writing with a distinct plot and dialogue creating an easier read. As
contrasting as both authors perceive to be in their styles, they share a common
theme through their individual ways of self-expression whether it be through
characters like Austen uses, or direct thoughts like Montaigne is known for. Together,
the two authors cannot be more similarly different and differently similar. As
David Foster Wallace once wrote, “What goes on inside is just too fast and huge
and all interconnected for words to do more than barely sketch the outlines of
at most one tiny part of it at any given instant.” It is evident that Montaigne’s
web of thoughts supports Foster’s notion, yet both Austen and Montaigne were
able to capture such a thought as to the concept of humanity, and address such
a simple phrase into a potent meaning.
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