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Peter MacNeil
Professor Earla Wilputte
English 253
28 November 2013
A Conversation for Two
Conversing with one another is an act of building an idea. A participant will put
forth a notion, which will cause their partner to survey their mind to actively add to the
concept being conversed. To create effective conversation one must be able to listen
productively and verbalise their thoughts sufficiently. Exploring the craft of being a
favourable conversationalist was the subject of essays, periodicals, and numerous
publications in the 18th century to promote proper fundamentals of discourse to all social
classes. Jonathan Swift an Irish writer of the time authored “Hints towards an Essay on
Conversation” which outlined the “faults and errors” (Swift) of those who lacked the
ability to participate in agreeable conversation. Throughout this essay Swift highlights the
improper use of the element of wit in conversation and how men can become “all the
Mirth at their own Expense” (Swift). Swift also reviews the practice of raillery in
conversation and its negative use “ to run a Man down in discourse” (Swift). Women
were also subjected to raillery as Mr.Spectator observes at Arietta’s tea table in the
“Spectator NO. 11” where Arietta defends the female sex by telling a foil to a “CommonPlace talker”(Steele). With this discussion at Arietta’s tea table an idea is being built
upon creating a compass for education and development. Allowing the fair sex to engage
in conversation enabled topics and views to evolve with a new viewpoint. This equal
partnership in a conversation to respond and answer is crucial to achieve a good
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conversation. For the character Glicera in Eliza Haywood’s novella “The City Jilt” she
does not have this union with her former lover Melladore who neglects to respond to the
letters sent to him. The art of conversation requires an equal partnership between both
parties, a context extended to both men and women along with a sense of awareness of
the elements that make a conversation successful.
A witty individual strives to demonstrate their knowledge and intelligence using
wit in an attempt to amuse or enliven a conversation. For one to be witty a condition is to
listen to the other person in conversation and interpret what is being said as well as make
allude to an idea that the company will preferable be familiar with. Swift indicates in his
essay on conversation that this technique in conversation is misused by many and hinders
any possibility of a proper discussion occurring. This thought is conveyed in “Men of
Wit, nor ever so much as when they are with each other If they have opened their
mouths, without endeavouring to say a witty Thing, they think it is so many words
lost”(Swift). Two people strenuously using wit on every statement to raise their own
status impedes the exchange of ideas thus there is no content. A conversation must
consist of content if not these “Men of Wit” can be comparable to Mr. Spectator’s
observation of a set of men known as the “Blanks of society”(Steele). As Steele points
out “these needy persons do not know what to talk of till about twelve a clock in the
morning” (Steele) it is because they haven’t consumed enough information yet to
converse. For which Mr.Spectator argues that his paper “shall have a good Effect on their
conversation” (Steele) providing all the content needed to be an informed member of
society. Furthermore Swift depicts the men of wit whose “Business is to be good
company, and not good conversation” (Swift) where as they choose people who are
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content to listen rather than be the equal partner required in conversation. The element of
wit applied correctly can display a person’s true intellectual power. Gilcera from Eliza
Haywood’s “The City Jilt” demonstrates this power when composing a letter to her
former lover Melladore in which she writes “perhaps the re-monstrances made you by my
pen may be more effectual than those of my Tongue” (Haywood). Using wit Gilcera has
made a pun of her tongue, which represents the face-to-face conversations and the
affection she has shown to Melladore. Additionally in Glicera’s second letter to the
“Unworthy Melladore”(Haywood) she uses wit to compare Melladore’s corrupt plan to
seduce her with “all the base subtilty of the betraying crocodile” (Haywood). The ability
to illustrate robust imagery on an idea generates a stronger argument and better
conversation. To use wit in a conversation the speaker must be aware of their audience to
ensure they are not showing off or alienating the receiving end of the discourse.
Balanced communication will avoid declaring one another’s faults to inflate ones
worth. Raillery, which originated in conversation as a reflection or reproach towards a
person in effect, became a compliment to the individual on the receiving end (Swift).
Over time raillery became a way to “Run a man down in discourse . . . and make him
ridiculous, sometimes to expose the Defects of his Person,” (Swift). An example of the
traditional use of raillery is presented in Arietta’s tea table where she is known for her
bold behaviour towards visitors, young and old, which is blameless (Steele).
Comparatively to the “Common-Place Talker” whose discourse of the story “Ephesian
Matron” is inferred as a “piece of raillery” towards the female sex (Steele). This ridicule
towards an individual will shift their focus from a collaborative conversation to defending
their being. To counteract this notion Steel writes in his essay on polite conversation that
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“it would therefore be a great Benefit to the World if it could be brought to pass that no
Story should be a taking one, but what was to the advantage of the Person of whom it is
related” in effect for conversation to be equivalent, a reflection onto another person must
present a benefit to carry on the discussion. Raillery is an element of conversation that is
closely related to wit, where the speaker should be aware of whom they are addressing
when using this element of communicating their observation of a person.
A mind-set that is restricted to discourse in a select few topics cannot effectively
converse with others. Due to indulging in topics, which a person may be infatuated, may
cause the partner to the discussion an inability to contribute. This individual is recognized
as a pedant for which Swift writes, “ unseasonable obtruding our own knowledge in
common discourse” (Swift). Addison in Spectator NO. 105 examines the pedant and
defines them as “everyone that does not know how to think out of his Profession and
particular way of life” (Addison). A pedant reaches a point in conversation where they
are unable to carry on because they have exhausted all the material they have wished to
draw upon and are unable to depart from their caged thoughts. The specific types of
pedants relative to the 18th Century and reviewed in Addison’s essay (Military, StatePedant, and Book Pedant) create a world of exclusion. To be unfamiliar with a pedant’s
topic while conversing with them will result in a lecture from the pedant to ensure their
beloved subject becomes common knowledge to the listener. Pedantry has a negative
effect on the art of conversation where the pedant will guide the discourse in their favour,
along with the inability to accept different ideas foreign to their realm of life.
The development of conversation in the 18th Century was accelerated as a result
of the flourishing venues to have public conversation. The English Coffeehouse served as
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a setting for the practice of conversation with patrons purchasing coffee for a penny and
then discussing the news of the day reported by different periodicals. A unique feature of
the coffeehouse was how “the coffeehouse allowed promiscuous association among
people from different rungs of the social ladder from the artisan to the aristocrat”
Lawrence Klein writes in his essay on “Coffeehouse Civility” (Klein). From this
interaction of different social classes, the coffeehouse became known as the “Penny
University” (Klein). For the cost of a penny a man could learn the politics and news of
the day by conversing with one another. The coffeehouse “should be viewed in the
context of the history of discourse and communicative practices in society” (Klein) a way
in which discourse was developed in the coffeehouse was through different works being
published on the rules of etiquette associated with conversing. As mentioned prior,
Jonathan Swift’s “Hints towards an Essay on Conversation” was an attempt to correct “a
Multitude of Errors” (Swift) he had observed in people conversing in the coffeehouse,
which would lead their discourse to dissolve. “The Spectator” and “The Tatler” also
served as a method for correcting conversation in their publications “Addison and Steele
took aim at anyone whose conversation did not measure up to their standards of
discursive decorum” Brian Cowan writes in his analysis “Mr. Spectator and the
Coffeehouse Public Sphere” (Cowan). The Tatler No. 225 is a complete essay with the
focus of polite conversation or in other words referring to the protocols of good
conversation. The intention of the authors of informative literature on conversation was
to promote a sense of awareness to not only the coffeehouse patron but as well as the
public. With the public’s attention directed towards the proper conversation, etiquette
discourse could then develop into superior ideas compared to being curtailed by the many
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common faults. In contrast there was the perspective, for authentic conversation to occur
it must be free from and external constraints, Klein suggests, “since no conversation
could be good if performed under the eye of authority” (Klein). The rigid prescriptions
placed upon conversation to guide it into polite conversation would affect the liberty of
the speaker who would be concentrating on the regulations rather than their true thoughts.
Gilcera’s letter exchange with Mellodore can be regarded as a more liberal expression
with the use of raillery towards Mellodore in the lines “ But you are altered since, and I
too sadly prove your boasted Virtue Hypocrisy, a Feint to hire me to Destruction”
(Haywood). In spite of pointing out Mellodore’s flaws, which is considered by writers
such as Jonathan Swift as poor conversation, Gilcera is able to legitimately express her
sincere feelings. The circulation of various papers in the 18th Century on appropriate
conversation in the coffeehouse and the public sphere established an awareness of the
elements necessary to have a successful conversation as well as shaping the way people
conversed.
The English Coffeehouse with patrons from different social classes, therefore also
hosted individuals with varying levels of education. Klein notes, “true politeness was
expressed in and flowed from the educated gentlemanly conversation of equals” (Klein).
As stated before, the coffeehouse offered an informal education through conversing with
others. Taste, debates on politics, current events, and views of urban life provided a
learning experience for those who frequented the coffeehouse. Described in the Tatler “
you meet very often some whom cannot leave without being the better for their
conversation” (Steele). Arietta from Spectator No.11 a woman with “conversation so
mixed with Gaiety and Prudence” (Steele) is a character that leaves her visitors in a more
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sophisticated frame of mind. Disputing a notion raised in conversation, Arietta’s ability to
argue her view with the story of “Inkle and Yarico” (Steele) is so compelling
Mr.Spectator departs from the room with tears in his eyes. Which as Mr.Spectator
understands a “women of Arietta’s good sense” (Steele) would view this reaction as an
appreciation of her intelligence. An educated social interaction can initiate persuasive
discussion between two parties, which can alter one’s mindset. On the opposition,
Jonathan Swift argues in his essay on conversation “ Men of much Learning, and who
know the compass of a Language are generally the worst Talkers” (Swift) referring to
men who have studied an abundant amount of material and are unable to converse
correctly due to having to much knowledge to select from. Hence Swift claims they “are
perplexed and entangled by too great a choice” (Swift). This assertion made by Swift is
imperfect due to the concept, because to be a forcible conversationalist an individual
should have a knowledgeable background to converse in a variety of topics to avoid the
fault of a being a pedant. The demand for diverse knowledge is also connected to the
capability of being witty in conversation and when used properly can translate into
intellectual skill. Further on Swift Suggests “Practice hath inured and emboldened them”
(Swift) under those circumstances men of much learning will then be able to converse.
Regardless, with or without practice the educated man would fare better than an
unrefined man from the labouring class in the art of conversation. The principle of
education in conversation is a prerequisite to a progressive discourse where ideas may be
built upon each other and both participants are enriched from the event.
Interpersonal communication with one’s self hinders the advancement of solving
problems with the constraint of only accessing a single mind. For Men of the 18th
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Century a fair amount of ideas and notions were formed by their single mind, the male
single mind. A contributing factor to the evolution of discriminatory view was the
exclusion of women from the coffeehouse where ideas through conversation were
debated and discussed. This division of “The tea-table among the ladies, and the
coffeehouse among the men” (Cowen) had men viewing women as gossiping compared
to the men’s proper public discourse. Jonathan Swift comments on the absence of women
in the line “to the custom arisen for some Years past, of excluding Women from any
Share in our society,” (Swift). Swift carries on describing the French culture he has
observed, which promoted further involvement with women in conversation. As a result
there were meetings where “both of the sexes, met to pass the Evenings in discoursing
upon whatever agreeable Subjects were occasionally started” (Swift). This female
presence allowed for a particular viewpoint that women may only hold, to be expressed
therefore offered a different insight into the conversation. Many of the publications
referenced so far, demonstrate female involvement in conversation. This can be examined
in Glicera’s heated letter exchange in “The City Jilt” to the sensible Arietta in “The
Spectator No.11”. Both are partaking in an equal partnership of conversation where ideas
are being exchanged and minds are engaging for a better understanding while
entertaining and speaking for the “Hearer’s Sake, and not his own” (Swift). The general
rule towards a successful conversation as stated in the Tatler is “ That men should not
talk to please themselves, but those that hear them” (Steele). The role of the individual is
to take care of their partner and allow for “Room for answers and replies” (Swift) so a
conversation between both parties may be rewarding. The conversing woman in the 18th
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century was essential in balancing discourse and providing various viewpoints unnoticed
by the male populous.
Social interaction between two coffeehouse patrons in the 18th Century joined in
conversation presented an impressive process to build on an idea. The obligation to be
aware of the faults and errors in conversing such as wit, raillery and avoiding being
pedant to ensure a partner dose not feel alienated. While during the 18th Century the
development of the English Coffeehouse began to shape how the public conversed with
one another. This new awareness of discourse etiquette was evoked by numerous
publications by writers with a desire to create a culture with polite conversation. Many of
the authors who wrote on conversation made a point of illuminating the fair sex and their
important role in conversation to create a more balanced discussion. Another notion
recognized as an important factor in discourse was the need for both parties to have equal
partnership for a conversation to be favourable. The true art of conversation relies on
each individual to take care of their partner by being aware of the elements, which will
enable an accomplished conversation.