It is especially his bad language that is always good. It is precisely the passages that have always been recognized as good style that would now be regarded as bad form. And it is precisely these violent passages that especially bring out not only the best capacities of Cobbett but also the best capacities of English.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author argues that Cobbett's aggressive and rough writing style reveals the best qualities of both the writer and the English language.
- In plain terms
- Cobbett's violent and rough writing shows the best skills of himself and the English language.
- What can you take from it?
- Rough language can effectively reveal deep capacity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does roughness help communication?
- What makes a language strong?
Another view
It might encourage unrefined writing by labeling it as effective.
More from William Cobbett
The pattern John Bull of his century, strong as the rhinoceros, and with singular humanities and genialities shining through his thick skin.
Permalink to quote #25 One has no notion of him as making use of a fine pen, but a great mutton-fist; his style stuns his readers:He is too much for any single newspaper antagonist; …
Permalink to quote #24 A full belly to the labourer was, in my opinion, the foundation of public morals and the only source of real public peace.
Permalink to quote #23
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