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Henry James was our master of periphrasis -- the fine art…

“Henry James was our master of periphrasis -- the fine art of saying as little as possible in the greatest number of words.” quote by Edward Abbey
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“Henry James was our master of periphrasis -- the fine art of saying as little as possible in the greatest number of words.”

Edward Abbey

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Henry James excelled at using many words to say very little, highlighting the art of over‑elaboration.

In simple terms: James used many words for little meaning.

Key Takeaway

Beware of excessive verbosity.

Themes

literature style communication

Mood

analytical critical

Type

literary educational

When to use this quote

  • editing
  • writing workshops
  • academic papers

Key Concepts

periphrasis conciseness rhetorical excess

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is detailed language necessary?
  • How does brevity affect clarity?
A Different Perspective

Complex ideas sometimes need elaborate expression.

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