Stylistic Qualities of Bertrand Russell's Essays

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Russell as a Prose Writer

Bertrand Russell was basically a mathematician. Therefore, he applied the mathematical fundamentals into his writings which are precision and problem solving through [democratic] formulas. Russell touched almost every human problem and provided a mathematical sum (solution) to it. That is why there is a cynical and dry accuracy of solutions. The prose style of Bertrand Russell is marked with simplicity [of words], lucidity, clarity and elegancy.

Russell makes simple words difficult to understand

Mr. Russell's prose is piled up with simple words but the subject matter in it is hardly understandable by a layman (common people like us). This tough-ho subject matter can only be parsed by a person who is acquainted with scholarly enterprise and philosophical values. So, in this regard, his simplicity of language is inverted by Francis Bacon whose language is pretty hard to digest. There are no fancy fragments of sentences [yea, we are talkin' about jewelled phrases here.] just intellectual complexity takes over the kingdom of lingual simplicity.

Russell's sentences are worth a billion pages

Long sentences are Russell's favourite choice but he manages his long sentences so well that ideas pertaining to the particular sentence flow in a guided sequence. But some of these [short] sentences are so condensed with rhetorical gossip that their explanation can be recorded in several hard drives.

Extreme hopes are born of extreme misery.

This short sentence is a striking example of Russell's Baconic terseness. It is no lie that extreme hopes (this type of hope can be characterized with an extremist attitude) catch fire in uncountable suffering. Manifestly, Russell's sentences carry a flood of meaning in them.

Russell's Prose is sequenced with a harmony of thoughts

Mr. Russell implemented mathematical and logical formulas into his writings. The upper body of his essays are presented with logical arguments to the problem or issue Russell addresses into his essay. Then he draws a conclusion in keeping with arguments asserted above in sequential development of thought. So, Russell skillfully and sequentially concludes his essays after presenting ample (sufficient) arguments to support his essays.

Russell writes what he means to write

Russell's scientific thinking creates a detest in himself against the use of fancy and difficult words. He uses simple, transparent, pure and rich-in-meaning words to make us read what he wants us to read and understand. Obscurity is hardly present in his written genius and if ambiguity takes place somewhere, he clears it in the sentence proceeding next to it. He avoids excessive use of words. Here is an example of his pointy sentence:

We know very little, and yet it is astonishing that we know so much, and still more astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power.

Russell's writings are serious

Mr. Russell did not write for his readers to attain entertainment. His writing career was deeply influenced by the two great wars and its horrible impact on mankind. Russell opposed [nuclear] war and favoured democracy. Therefore, his writings carry a serious tone and a silent protest against the clash between two superpowers of the world.

Russell seriously promotes democracy for the betterment and development of mankind. His mind was deeply stressed to see an ideological battle between two gods of the earth and its terrible consequence on the developing countries. He wanted to wake humans against imperialism and totalitarianism, and to promote peace through establishing a global democracy.

Russell is a master of the English language

Although most of his writings are simple and clear, however, Russell does not hesitate to show his command on the English language. The essay, A Free Man's Worship in his book Mysticism and Logic is the only example where Russell proudly exhibits his flowery language.

Conclusion

Russell's distinctive prose style, characterized with brevity, lucidity and harmonic precision, makes him one of the greatest prose writers of the 20th century.