Elizabeth Gaskell's and James Froude's Use of Language - Essay Example

For Froude, the modern reader needs to concentrate more closely on the writing. The style at first appears more complex and not quite so readily understood, however, remembering that this is Victorian England, and that he was dealing with a difficult topic, then the time and effort required is worth it. Although he appears to hero worship his subject, recognising the greatness of Carlyle, there are many clues as to his fondness for Jane Welsh and he almost skirts around the difficulties by the the use of euphemistic language, and some cliched phrases.

It has been said that he never actually accused Carlyle of being a terrible husband, but that he was trying to be true to what he saw and experienced while with the couple. James Froude's four volumes have been abridged and edited by Professor John Clubbe, who stays true to the Victorian biography style and Froude's work. But the use of English, and the Victorian conventions contained in the work may still manage to confuse and may even infuriate the modern reader. The long, convoluted sentences are indeed more demanding for to-day's reader but this does not mean that they are to be dismissed.

While it is obvious he is seeking to be truthful and fair to his 'difficult', (by Carlyle's own admission) subject, his hero-worship shines through, with the use of high-flown descriptions and adjectives. He is torn between honesty and admiration and in fact, did not include all that could have been exposed about the lives of these two, his friends. It needs to be borne in mind that he wanted his readers to understand and respect Carlyle as he himself did. Some material omitted from the biography came to light and was made public by Froude's family, in his defence against accusations of betrayal of Carlyle.

He was in London in1860, and spent time with Carlyle and Jane. The following illustrates his language, and what he perceived, but left out, in deference to his friends. 'sarcastic when she spoke about her husband- a curious blend of pity,