Style and Imitation

Name: Style and Imitation
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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 · 1,232 words

First lines

The collocation of words is so artificial in Shakspeare and Milton, that you may as well think of pushing a[1] brick out of a wall with your forefinger, as attempt to remove a word out of any of their finished passages.[2]

A good lecture upon style might he composed, by taking on the one hand the slang of L'Estrange, and perhaps, even of Roger North,[3] which became so fashionable after the Restoration as a mark of loyalty; and on the other, the Johnsonian magniloquence or the balanced metre of Junius; and then showing how each extreme is faulty, upon different grounds.

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Style and Imitation is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1817 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1817 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Poetics, Essay, Historical Analysis
Length: 1,232 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Criticism — The book analyzes styles of writing and the concept of imitation in literature, making it a key work in literary criticism.
Philosophy — It discusses the philosophical implications of style and imitation, exploring deeper meanings behind literary techniques.
Poetics — The text delves into the principles of poetry and prose, examining the aesthetics of language and form.
Essay — The work is structured as an essay, presenting arguments and reflections on style and imitation.