(Gelett Burgess)
GENERAL INTRODUCTION:-
“Bromides and Sulphites” is an interesting, humorous and quite different
essay by Gelett Burgess, who was a well-known American humourist and prose
writer. He wrote a number of humorous articles and stories together with his
illustrations. This essay has been extracted from his famous book: “Are you a
Bromide?”
MAIN IDEA OF THE STORY: - (Theme)
This
essay is a humorous discussion of two types of human beings. One is named as
Bromides while other Sulphites. This division is quite convincing, logical, apt
and correct. The basic difference between both the groups lies in their
attitude towards life as well as their general thoughts. In the writer opinion,
the Bromides, being ordinary in their ideas and behaviour, from the larger
group of human beings; whereas, the sulphites, being extra-ordinary in their
ideas and behavior, constitute a smaller group of human beings.
SUMMARY: -
According to the writer, the entire
human beings can be divided into two distinct groups on the basis of their attitudes,
ideas and behaviour. In this context, the writer has successfully used the
device of contrast to differentiate these groups. Moreover he has authenticated
his argument by quoting the most important personalities of the world. Their
thoughts, attitudes and mental inclinations from History, Polities, Art and
Literature.
Qualities of Bromides: -
Chemically,
Bromides is chemical compound of bromine, used in medicine to calm nerves.
According to Burgess, a bromide is a person whose thoughts and conversation are
ordinary and conventional. He follows the well-worm paths of life. He is a
follower of customs and tradition. All Bromides think and react in a similar
way. Being Philistine or Conservations. They are opposed to change. They live
like very average or common people and do everything in its routine. For
example, they have their hair cut every month and their minds keep in regular
in office hours. Their habits and thoughts are ready-made. They have no aesthetic
sense to appreciate an artistic piece like a picture or painting. They have no
individuality and conform to everything allowed by the majority. In short, such
people are always led and can never be leaders.
In this context,
Burgess has quoted many examples: Polonius, a well-known character of
Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”, is a Bromide. Amelia sedley, a character in
Thackeray’s novel, “Vanity Fair” is bromidic. All the predictable, common,
average, conservative and boring characters in novels and dramas or the
so-called “flat” characters are the Bromides. In Literature, Marie Corelli
(English Novelist) and Dr. Jonson were Bromidic. In polities, President
Roosevelt of America in 1930’s was a bromidic.
Qualities of Sulphites: -
Chemically,
Sulphite is a chemical compound of Sulpher and another element and it signifies
fire and energy. According to Burges, the Sulphites are people with their own
individuality and new ideas. They do not speak or act according to the usual
says of society. Thus, they have their own thinking and mode of actions. They
always surprise others. Hence, we come across such people very rarely, suddenly
and unexpectedly. They do ordinary thinks in unusual ways or unusual things in
ordinary ways. For example, a sulphite may swim out to rescue a drowning girls
but he will keep his pipe burning all the while.
In this
context, Burgess quotes different examples: Hamlet, the hero of Shakespeare’s
play, “Hamlet” is a Sulphite. Becky Sharp, a character in Thackeray’s novel,
“Vanity Fair” is Sulphitic. All the unpredictable, adventurous and amazing
characters in novels and dramas or the so-called “round” characters are
Sulphitic. In Literature, Bernard Shaw (English Dramatist) and Lewis Carol were
Sulphitic. In politics, President William McKinley of America, the predecessor
of Roosevelt, was a sulphite. Moreover, all cranks, reformers and some of the
artists are Sulphites. The insane asylums are full of Sulphites.
Bromides–com-sulphites: -
Where giving
this differentiation, the writer adds some hybrids or Bromides-cum-Sulphitic.
Who are half-bromide and half-Sulphite. According to him, some writers may also
have a contrasting personality and style in Literature. Its typical example is
Dr. Johnson and Lewis Carol. Dr. Johnson, a famous neo-classic critic, was
Sulphite in personality but Bromide in writing. On the other hand, Lewis carol,
a famous English writer, was Bromide in personality but Sulphite in writing.
CONCLUSION: -
In the end we can say
that the writer’s division of human race into bromides and Sulphites is quite
logical, convincing and just. It is not based on any ill-will; rather he has
drawn quite a lucid appropriate and comprehensible contrast to highlight the
different facets of humanity. His examples from History, Art and Literature are
quite appealing and applicable. In short, through these examples, he has
successfully and beautifully differentiated the Bromides and Sulphites to
transmit the main idea of his story.
TEXTUAL QUESTION
Q-1 . what devices does Burgess use to show the reader the
difference between a Bromide and a Sulphite?
ANS: - G. Int. + Summary + Conclusion
Q-2. This essay first
appeared in 1906. It seem dated in its chief contention? In the examples of
bromidic remarks? In the persons named as Bromides or Sulphites
ANS: - (Theme) + Though this essay first appeared in
1906, it does not seem old-fashioned in its chief contention. The fact is that
this division of human beings is undoubtedly universal. There have been, are
and will always be these two types of people. Even in this modern age of 21st
century, we come across such people as described in the essay. Moreover, the
remarks of the writer about the bromides are also clearly universal and not
time or age bound. So, it cannot be called dated at all.
As far as the names of
the person are concerned, it does seem dated; because most of them belong to
the time before 1906. In an essay, when examples are given from history, it
automatically becomes dated. But here Burgess is justified as how he could
write about the modern writers. A writer either quotes examples from the past
or his present. The names of G.B. shaw and Becky Sharp were quite modern for
him and hence do not ‘date’ the essay.
To conclude, we can say that the
essay does not seem dated in its chief contention and also in its Bromidic
remarks. It does, however, seem dated in the examples taken from Literature,
politics and literary history. Nevertheless, that does not mar the beauty and
worth of the essay.
University Questions
Q.1: how does the writer
divide human beings into Bromides and Sulphites?
(OR)
where illustrations (example)
of Bromides and Sulphites has Burgess quotes from Literature and History to
clarify the difference between the two?
(OR)
Why does the writer call
people as Bromides and Sulphites?
(OR)
Burgess has categorized human
beinginto two groups what are those groups? Do you agree with this division?
ANS: - (G.I + Theme (brief) +
Summary + Conclusion)
Q.2: who are Bromides and how
do they behave in the society?
(OR)
Which people are labeled
Bromide in the essay by Burgess and way?
ANS: - Theme (brief) + Qualities of Bromides)
Q.3: who are Sulphites and how
do they behave in the society?
(OR)
Which people are labeled
Sulphite in the essay by Burgess and way?
ANS: - Theme (Brief) +
Qualities of Sulphites
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