RUSSELLS PROSE STYLE

Russell is one of the greatest masters of English prose. He revolutionized not

only thesubject matter but also the mode of expression. He has in him a
happy blend of a greatphilosopher and a great writer. His encyclopedic range
of subjects brought him highlaurels and he was awarded Nobel Prize for
literature in 1950. The subject may be verydifficult but his manner of
expression is so lucid and simple that even a lay man canunderstand him
without any special difficulty. It is a rare privilege which only a few
prosemasters enjoy; otherwise writers like Lamb and Ruskin remain
incomprehensible to a vastmajority of readers.

Lucidity

The first salient feature of Russells style is its lucidity. The author is direct,
simpleand clear. He opens even a most complex issue with clarity. He is a
reformer thinker and soclarity pays him most. Complexity of expression leads
to ambiguity and that defects thevery aim of a writer like him.Russells aim
was to create a public opinion for breaking the demoniac designs ofambitious
men in political, economic and social spheres, so he presented his ideas
withbrilliant clarity. He recorded his reactions and opinions without
attempting literaryflourishes.

Terseness

The next trait of Russells style is its Baconian terseness. Many sentences
read likeepigrams and proverbs full of deep meanings. Russells sentences
are pregnant withthoughts like those of Bacon. Russell has one advantage
over Bacon. The sentences ofBacon are small epigrams and as such they
have no link with each other. They suffer fromabruptness and discontinuity of
thought. But Russells essays are well-knit and systematic.They have a
continuity of thought.

Allusiveness

Another remarkable feature of Russells prose is its allusiveness. He quotes

fromthe Bible, Shakespeare, Roman and Greek writers. This he does to make
his ironicaloverwhelming force more effective. His quotations are
harmoniously woven into thetexture of his thoughts. The Biblical phrases and
quotations lend sublimity to his prose andmake his style scholarly.

Irony and Sarcasm

Russell makes frequent uses of wit and humour. It may be remembered

thatRussells humour is generally not pure fun. It is ironical. Irony is a
principal instrument ofhis style. He ironises the so-called modern-minded
people in The belief that fashion aloneshould dominate opinion has great
advantages. It makes thought unnecessary and puts thehighest intelligence
within the reach of every one.