Introduction: Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797) was an Irish statesman and philosopher, historian and political writer. He served as a member of parliament between 1766 and 1794 in the House of Commons of Great Britain with the Whig Party after moving to London in 1750. His prose style is characterized by proportion, dignity and harmony.
Characteristics of Edmund Burke’s prose style: After scanning his prose, we get sundry features which are given below:
Oratory style: Burk’s prose style is oratory style. Oratory style means words are written as drafts of an oratory. If we read his writing, we shall get these words as powerful oratory. His writing is life-like at that time, now and in future. That means his writing is like encounter between writer and reader though he has died in 1997. This will be clear from given line:
“My second assertion is, that the Company has never has made a treaty, which they have not broken.’’
Writer of romantic prose: He is an identified writer of romantic prose. In his writing, we get sundry features that refers to romantic prose. Major romantic features are given below:
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High imagination: High imagination is a leading feature of romantic subject. In the writing of ‘‘Speech on the East India Bill’’, we get its touch. He speaks about Indian people and the geography of India but he never came to India.
Subjectivity: Subjectivity is another leading feature of romantic subject. In the writing of ‘‘Speech on the East India Bill’’, we get its touch as well. He speaks for Indian people in parliament from first person point of view. This will be clear from given line:
“The strong admission I have made of the Company’s rights (I am conscious of it) binds me to do a great deal.”
Common people: Discussion for common people is also a romantic feature. In ‘‘Speech on the East India Bill’’, we come to know that he speaks for Indian common people. So, from this point of view, he is a romantic prose writer.
Choice of language: Edmund Burke uses colloquial language for his writing, ‘‘Speech on the East India Bill’’. His choice of language is like William Wordsworth and Scott as well. From language using point of view, he is a romantic prose writer.
Use of figures of speech: Burke is called the poet of prose. In his writing ‘‘Speech on the East India Bill’’, he uses some figures of speech like poetry. After scanning his writing, we get use of sarcasm, oxymoron, simile, irony and so on figure of speech.
Use of rhetorical question: Rhetorical question means asking questions instead of getting answers for a speech. This is also a feature of Burke’s prose style. While speaking of Hastings’ treatment of Cheit Sing, he asks a number of rhetorical questions. As for example:
“Did he cite this culprit before his tribunal? Did he make a charge? Did he produce witness?
Use of classical or historical allusion: Use of classical or historical allusion is also a feature of Burke’s prose style. In his writing ‘‘Speech on the East India Bill’’, he uses classical or historical allusion. He studies a lot of books as a result we get the standard quality writing with reference to historical personality or incident.
Lack of humor as demerit: After scanning Burke’s writing, we get his defect that he has a lack of humor. In his prose writing, there is no entertainment element like other prose writers.
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Conclusion: From the light of the above discussion, we can say that Burke is a great prose writer and orator as well. He is the greatest master in English of the rhetoric of political wisdom. He opens the door to newcomer prose writers.
