Which among the following clusters matches the prose style that came to be known as 'Carlylese'?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

'Carlylese' refers to the distinctive style of writing used by Thomas Carlyle. Known for its dramatic and intense tone, Carlylese is a unique blend of intellectual and emotional expression that makes Carlyle's work immediately recognizable. It includes several key stylistic features:

Capital letters: Carlyle often used capital letters for emphasis, giving a heightened, almost oratorical tone to his writing.

Exclamation marks: Carlyle used exclamation marks freely to enhance the dramatic flair of his prose.

Phrases in German: Carlyle was heavily influenced by German philosophy, particularly Fichte and Goethe.

He would often sprinkle German words and phrases into his texts, reflecting his deep engagement with German intellectual traditions, especially in works like Sartor Resartus.

These elements contribute to the distinct, forceful tone of Carlylese, where he attempted to stir his readers with ideas and fervent language, presenting the world with moral urgency.

Information Booster:

Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881):

A Scottish philosopher, historian, and writer, Carlyle was an influential figure in Victorian literature.

His works often explore history, heroism, and morality, and he is known for his profound impact on the development of historical writing.

His most important works include The French Revolution, Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History.

The Carlylese Style:

Carlylese is a rhetorically charged style that often draws from biblical and philosophical language.

It is characterized by a dramatic tone, frequent use of capital letters, and an almost preacher-like style.

Carlyle was deeply concerned with moral and intellectual issues, and his style reflects the urgency of his message.

The use of German phrases is linked to Carlyle’s deep interest in German philosophy, especially the ideas of Goethe and Fichte.

He occasionally incorporated German expressions and concepts into his English writings, particularly when discussing German philosophy.

Historical and Philosophical Context:

Carlyle was an ardent reader of German thinkers and was one of the early English writers to introduce German idealism to British intellectual culture.

His style reflects his own intellectual explorations of philosophy, history, and heroism, where he placed emphasis on the moral imperative of human action.

Impact of Carlylese:

Carlylese had a lasting impact on the style of Victorian writing. Its influence can be seen in the works of authors like Dickens, Emerson, and Tolstoy, who admired Carlyle’s moral clarity and his ability to weave philosophy with narrative.

Additional Information:

Question marks, long sentences, phrases in French:

While Carlyle used long sentences to express complicated ideas, the frequent use of question marks and French phrases was not characteristic of his prose style. His writing was intensely formal, and he did not rely on French as much as he did German.

 Frequent ellipses, Latin sayings, comic non-sequiturs:

Carlyle’s prose was serious and intense. There was no room for the comedic non-sequiturs or Latin sayings implied in this option. His writing, while often intricate, was not marked by these elements.

Biblical phrases, capital letters, missing letters:

While Carlyle did use biblical phrases and capital letters, the missing letters were not a defining feature of Carlylese. Capitalization for emphasis and biblical allusions were far more frequent in his writing than letter omissions.