The work examines the nature of style in literature, contrasting various approaches and their effectiveness. It begins by highlighting the intricacy of language in the works of notable authors, suggesting that their word choices are so deliberate that altering them would disrupt the entire composition. The author critiques different styles, such as the slang prevalent during the Restoration and the more formal, balanced prose of figures like Johnson and Junius. The text defines good prose as the arrangement of appropriate words to convey meaning without drawing attention to itself, while good verse requires a more careful selection of words that are both meaningful and aesthetically pleasing. The author emphasizes the importance of unity in poetry, arguing that excessive focus on individual lines can detract from the overall impression of the work. The discussion extends to the relationship between imitation and originality, asserting that true imitation involves a balance of similarity and difference. This concept is likened to artistic practices, where the degree of likeness or difference can vary depending on the medium. The work ultimately advocates for a nuanced understanding of style, recognizing that both prose and poetry have distinct requirements that influence how language is employed to achieve artistic goals.
By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1817 · Genre: Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Poetics