Prose is one of the major form of writing in different literary categories. Many written pieces depend on prose as their main structure. In contrast to poetry that depends on rhyme and meter, the prose features clear writing and natural flow.
Definition of Prose
Prose is a form of language that follows simple grammatical rules and natural speech rhythms. In contrast, the poetry is marked by fixed patterns. Prose represents the standard form of language for both writing and speaking.
It serves as a basis for numerous genres, such as short stories, novels and essays. By using complete sentences and arranging them into paragraphs, prose conveys concepts and tell stories without any restriction of formal poetic structure.
Types of Prose
Prose contains numerous forms and is categorized into many types, based on its purpose and approach. Here are the primary types of prose:
1- Narrative Prose
Narrative prose tells a story regardless of whether it is fictional or non-fictional. This category features various pieces of work, such as, novels, short stories, biographies and memoirs.
This kind of writing highlights figures in a structured scenario. For example: The classic work “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, illustrates narrative prose by interweaving themes of love and societal evolution.
2- Descriptive Prose
This genre highlights the colorful portrayal of situations and individuals to stimulate the senses and inspire the reader’s thoughts.
It appears within narrative writing to create environment. For Example: In “Moby-Dick”, the author uses descriptive prose to explore the vastness of the sea and presents the nuances of whaling endeavors.
3- Expository Prose
Expository writing reveals knowledge and discusses matters thoroughly. It usually presents in academic works and journalistic writing.
This form of prose centers on clarity and factual evidence. For example: In the essay “Self-Reliance” by Emerson, one finds clear points made through expository prose.
4- Persuasive Prose
This sort of writing intends to inspire the readers to accept a particular view or perform a particular action. It is found speeches, essays and advertisements. For example: The speech of King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” calls for civil rights and equality.
5- Prose Poetry
Prose poetry combines concepts from prose and poetry. In this type of prose, the paragraphs are used instead of verse.
It embodies poetic traits, such as vibrant visuals and emotional intensity. For example: In “Paris Spleen” by Charles Baudelaire, it contains prose poems that analyze city life with powerful visuals and poetic expression.
Common Examples of First Prose Lines in Well-Known Novels
First lines of novels are often iconic, setting the tone for the narrative that follows. Here are a few famous examples of first prose lines:
- “Call me Ishmael.” (“Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville)
The narrator appears in this concise opening line and lays the groundwork for a grand narrative of obsession and vengeance.
- “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen)
The line hints the core ideas of marriage and societal position in the story with a touch of irony.
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” (“A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens)
This celebrated introductory line illustrates the paradoxes and chaos of the French Revolution and delineates the narrative’s focus on complexity.
- “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” (“Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy)
Tolstoy reveals his clear perception of human nature and the complicated dynamics of familial bonds through this opening line.
- “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” (“1984” by George Orwell)
In Orwell’s novel the first line serves as a setup for the harsh existence within.
Examples of Prose in literature
Example#1
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.’ He didn’t say any more, but we’ve always been unusually communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he meant a great deal more than that.”
The introductory passage of “The Great Gatsby” exemplifies narrative prose. Using the inner reflections of Nick Carraway, the author sets a deeply thoughtful mood in the narrative.
The prose here presents notions of status and assessment that serve to outline the novel’s investigation into wealth issues and social stratifications within the Jazz Age.
Nick’s character emerges as deliberate and insightful due to the straightforward and conversational structure of the language in the narrative.
Example#2
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.”
In the novel, Austen sets a satirical mood through a classy prose that introduces the narrative. The elegant and removed manner of the writing playfully comments on the societal standards of Regency England focusing on the obligation for women to marry wealthy individuals.
Austen’s prose exemplifies her ability to use irony to analyze community standards in this segment. The words are clear and calculated contrasting with the hidden laughter and insights on marriage in a social agreement.
See also: Examples of Protagonist in Literature
Example#3
“Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville
“Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off—then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.”
In the opening scene of Moby-Dick, Melville reveals the use of descriptive and philosophical prose. In rich language filled with vivid details Ishmael articulates his desperation and sense of existential hopelessness along with the atmosphere around him.
The elegant prose entertains with its elaborate structure and lengthy phrases which resonate with the narrator’s disjointed reflections while intimating broader ideas like destiny and the search for purpose.
In this passage, the language establishes the framework that the narrative will follow while examining the essence of personal psychology and existence at sea.
Difference Between Prose and Poetry
The difference between prose and poetry mostly lie in their composition and objective. Complete sentences in prose form paragraphs according to the natural rhythm of everyday conversation.
It aims to convey clarity along with extensive detail and simplicity, often seen in essays and novellas.
Poetry, on the other hand, is written in lines and stanzas and tends to employ rhyme, rhythm and meter. Through concise and figurative language, poetry seeks to convey emotions and ideas and frequently reinvents its structure to create meaningful images.
While prose seems straightforward in nature, poetry can also express ideas in a more abstract way.
See also: Elements of Play in Literature
How to Write a Prose Poem?
A prose poem blends the narrative flow of prose with the imaginative and figurative language of poetry. Here are some steps to writing a prose poem:
Choose a Theme or Emotion:
Typically prose poems concentrate on particular themes or emotions. Choose what heartfelt essence you desire to communicate.
Use Poetic Language:
Use poetic tools such as imagery and metaphors in your paragraphs. With these methods applied the prose can become a poetic work.
Write in Paragraphs:
Instead of employing traditional verse structure prose poems use a continuous paragraph. They bypass the verse pattern found in poetry and preserve the emotional richness therein.
Experiment with Rhythm and Sound:
Emphasize the structure and tone of your expression. Inspect the way the words unite and their voice when read out loud.
Be Concise and Reflective:
Prose poems regularly squeeze difficult ideas or emotions into a brief format. Concentrate on the soul of your content and study it in a quiet reflective manner.
Revise for Impact:
Rewrite your prose poem to improve clarity and emotional depth. All words must enhance the principal meaning and mood of the creation.
Prose Edda vs. Poetic Edda
The Prose Edda and Poetic Edda rank among the most significant compilations of Old Norse literature. They include key narratives and legends about Norse mythology.
Before the 13th century, Snorri Sturluson authored the Prose Edda as an instructional work on poetics and provides a narrative view of Norse mythology. This work uses simple language to convey the legends and protect them for future people.
Anonymous traditional poems make up the Poetic Edda and include tales of heroes and mythological figures. It is composed in verse and these poems reveal the elaborate poetic forms that represent their traditional oral transmission.
While the Prose Edda presents Norse mythology in a more organized and instructional way the Poetic Edda reveals it through poetic language.
See also: Literary Devices That Start With P
