Montaigne/ Austen Essay

            It is impossible to write exactly what you mean. No matter how many words people use things are always implied to a certain degree. In his story “Good Old Neon” David Foster Wallace states that everything is too interconnected and everything in the world happens to fast for words to possibly describe. The essays of Michel de Montaigne support this notion. Montaigne’s style with a “stream of consciousness” approach, and heavy use of logos, supports this claim especially when compared to Jane Austen’s style in Pride and Prejudice which utilizes third person limited and ethos.

            In Montaigne’s collection of essays, he covers a large variety of subjects. In each essay, Montaigne uses “stream of consciousness” writing what comes to his mind, often sidetracking way off the topic of the essay. By doing so, Montaigne is able to cover many subjects. He does not however, cover everything about said subject. At the end of each essay the reader still has questions about the subject and is often left without any resolution. Compared to Pride and Prejudice, where Austen uses third person limited, Montaigne covers more on any given subject in a literal sense.  It is however through third person limited that Austen is able to imply more and allow readers to “read between the lines,” thus giving a fuller picture of the subject. Because of this, when the essays of Montaigne are compared to Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Montaigne supports Wallace’s claim that words can’t describe everything.

            Another technique utilized by Montaigne that when compared to Pride and Prejudice, supports Wallace’s claim, is his heavy use of logos. By writing in a logical manner using words to try and work out what he means, Montaigne does not answer all questions and end all arguments on the subjects he writes about. Words just simply aren't enough. Austen’s use of ethos throughout her novel speaks to readers and helps them understand her point. Because of this, it is clear that emotions speak more to readers aiding in understanding rather than logic and words which leave gaps when commenting on a variety of subjects. Though when arguing logos and words tend to be more persuasive than pure emotion, when trying to cover all subjects and help readers wholly understand the matter at hand it is clear emotion wins out.

            David Foster Wallace claims that there is too much happening in the world and in our minds for words to possibly describe it all. When compared to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the essays of Michel de Montaigne support this claim. The inability of logos and stream of consciousness to end all arguments and answer all questions versus the ability of ethos and third person limited to speak to readers demonstrates that words simply can’t cover it all.