Montaigne/Austen

            

            Information that our brain picks up can be processed as fast as 270 miles per hour. If information comes through our head that quickly, then David Foster Wallace is right. It is impossible to sketch even outlines of our thoughts onto paper. However, Montaigne’s essays contradict this theory. His way of writing combines his thoughts with ideas. He writes down as many ideas he can remember from his thoughts. Montaigne uses stream of consciousness all throughout his essays. Austen’s style in Pride and Prejudice is the opposite of Montaigne and similar to Foster. Montaigne’s style provides a window into his extraordinary way of thinking.

   

Montaigne’s style contradicts Foster’s notion because of his stream of consciousness. Foster’s notion suggests that it is impossible to write down everything we can think. Montaigne uses this idea as a benefit for writing. He tries to write down everything he can think because he believes that his thought process will succeed as a style. “Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.” This quote from Montaigne gives us a look into his mind. The reader can see how different and interesting his mind works through his stream of consciousness. His style keeps the readers attention and introduces it to foreign ideas.

Montaigne’s style and Austen’s style are totally different. Montaigne is free flowing with no structure and Austen’s writing is structured. The mood of Montaigne is deep and serious compared to Austen’s which is simple and witty. Austen’s diction is used amuse the reader. For example, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” This is one example of a witty quote. This is also the first sentence of the entire book. Jane Austen sets the mood for the rest of the book with this humorous quote.

Montaigne’s writing style contradicts both Foster’s notion and Austen’s writing style. Montaigne’s style comes straight from his thoughts. He utilizes much of stream of consciousness. Montaigne’s serious mood is the opposite of Austen’s witty attitude. The style of Montaigne gives us a look in to his abnormal thinking. Montaigne and Austen give us two writing styles that are insightful even though they both contradict each other.