It is the nobility of their style which will make our writers of 1840 unreadable forty years from now

It is the nobility of their style which will make our writers of 1840 unreadable forty years from now

In the context of Stendhal, the quote "It is the nobility of their style which will make our writers of 1840 unreadable forty years from now" holds particular significance. Stendhal, whose real name was Marie-Henri Beyle, was a French writer known for his distinctive and innovative writing style. He was a pioneer of psychological realism in literature, focusing on the inner thoughts and emotions of his characters in a way that was revolutionary for his time.

Stendhal's writing was characterized by its clarity, precision, and economy of language. He eschewed the flowery, ornate prose that was popular in the Romantic era, opting instead for a more direct and straightforward style. This focus on simplicity and clarity allowed Stendhal to delve deep into the psychology of his characters, exploring their motivations, desires, and inner conflicts with a level of depth and nuance that was unprecedented in his time.

In contrast to the writers of 1840 who were known for their elaborate and ornate style, Stendhal's writing was refreshingly modern and ahead of its time. His emphasis on psychological realism and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in a clear and concise manner set him apart from his contemporaries and ensured that his work would remain relevant and readable for generations to come.

The quote suggests that it is the timeless quality of Stendhal's writing style that will ensure his work remains accessible and engaging long after the writers of his time have faded into obscurity. By focusing on the nobility of his style, Stendhal was able to create literature that transcended the trends and fashions of his era, speaking to universal truths about the human experience that continue to resonate with readers today.