Usefulness of this article
- Can be used in B.A., M.A. examinations
- Useful for University Entrance examinations.
- Useful for UGC NET, JRF etc.
- Beneficial in Assistant Professor examinations.
Introduction
Francis Bacon is considered as father of English essays. His life span was 1561-1626 hence falls into Elizabethan age. His essays have mixture of extreme brevity and deep social knowledge. The essay ‘Of Studies’ belongs to his first collection came out in 1597.
Main Ideas or Summary
Uses of studies – Bacon writes that studies serve three things i.e. delight, ornament and ability. Studies gives delight in free and personal time while it works as an ornament for discussions in the form of facts and figures. It also provides a person ability to take judgement in different works.
Cons of excessive studies – If a person is involved in excessive studies he may become sloth (lazy) in terms of other works. Excessive usages of studies in discussion may give impression of affectation or showy or over embellishment. At the other hand while taking judgement wholly based on bookish knowledge may question the critical mindset of the scholar. Studies should be used to give right direction in life and they are used in better way through experience gained in life. Similarly as a plant is pruned to give it a better growth.
Attitude of the people towards studies – Clever and crafty people hate studies and they don’t feel its requirement in life while simple people admire studies as they are too innocent to critically analyze any particular knowledge system. But wise men use studies. They don’t confine themselves to gaining knowledge only, rather they use that knowledge in life.
What should not be the purpose of studies – Studies shouldn’t be used to ‘contradict and confute’ i.e. to oppose others unnecessarily. Similarly we should ensure that we are not blindly impressed with someone’s knowledge and forget to use our critical thinking. Studies should also not be used to find opportunities for discussion to show off your knowledge on a particular topic.
Different types of books – Bacon writes that there can be many types of books. Some books are only tasted or read superficially while others are swallowed means demand more seriousness. But there are some other books who deserve to be chewed and digested means read thoroughly and deeply. Some books can be studied by subordinate or junior people who makes notes of them and which are read by others. But such books are unimportant for serious affairs. As such books can be compared to distilled water which is devoid of all the nutrients.
Purpose of Reading, discussing and writing – Bacon says that reading makes a person as complete man who has knowledge of diverse fields. While discussion makes a person ready for instant and clever replies. It makes a person ready for emergency situations. Similarly writing makes the person precise and exact. It helps in becoming free of unfruitful arguments.
Benefits of different Subjects – It is amazing that Bacon found reason and benefits behind studying a particular subject. He writes that History makes a man wise as it makes one aware about past mistakes. Poetry makes a person witty as a poet compares incomparable things. Mathematics brings subtleness in human being as it teaches to be clever in reaching conclusion. In the similar manner natural philosophy forces a person to think deep, morality makes a person serious by nature. Logic and Rhetoric i.e. art of speaking helps in arguments.
Comparison of studies with exercises – Writer adroitly compares various exercises which helps in curing different diseases to studies which helps in eliminating different weaknesses in human being. Bacon says bowling is good for curing stone problem, shooting is good for lungs and breasts due to recoil effect of gun, gentle walking for stomach issues, riding (horse riding) for head. Similarly different subjects such as mathematics is good to bring concentration as one mistake during solution will make you to do the whole exercise again. If someone is not good at distinguishing good and bad then he should study schoolmen i.e. philosophy. Similarly if someone wants to make its thought prevail then he should study law. In this manner there is a study for every weakness.
Bacon’s writing style
Bacon is known for his brevity which is popularly called as aphoristic style. It comprises not only conciseness but also deep meaning. Usages of enumeration helps in bringing concise sentences. Here is an instance of that “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested”. Such enumerative sentences are common in Bacon’s style. These sentences are full of worldly wisdom. Bacon had mastered it. There is an another important feature of bacon’s style i.e. covering both negative and positive aspects of a particular situation. In this essay ‘Of Studies’ firstly he talks about benefits of studies but then immediately followed by negatives of excessive studies. This is called critical analysis which Bacon was habitual to do in his essays.
Conclusion
Francis Bacon a master of essay writing explained pros and cons of studies in his essay ‘Of Studies’. He also talks about usages of studies in different fields of life, distinguished about good and bad books, role of different subjects in curing various weaknesses in human being etc. In a nutshell Bacon critically analyzed effect of studies on life.
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Very nice summary provided